Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 23: Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Siddaramaiah, charged minister K S Eshwarappa, of being directly responsible for creating tense situation in Shivamogga and also for the loss of assets. He was speaking at a press meet held on Tuesday February 22 at his office in Vidhana Soudha.

"Shivamogga is the home minister's district. It has witnessed three murders in three days. How can this be explained? How did the police department permit the funeral procession when prohibitory orders were in force? The fact that minister Eshwarappa and MP Raghavendra had taken part in the funeral procession, gives an indication that it was a state government-sponsored funeral procession," he stated.

Siddaramaiah noted that people holding daggers and sabres in hand were moving around the minister freely. He pointed out that Eshwarappa was seen ahead in this procession. He wondered whether this can be called a civilized government and demanded judicial probe.

Siddaramaiah noted that Eshwarappa's party runs the state government and challenged the government to ban PFI and SDPI if there are evidences against them. "No one is coming in the way of banning them. I have no objection if Harsha murder case is investigated through either National Investigation Agency or any other probe agency," he clarified.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president and MLC Saleem Ahmed, also asked the government to ban any organization if it has played a role in the murder of Harsha. At the same time, he asked the BJP leaders to stop pointing fingers at the Congress for everything.