From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Apr 16: State Congress President DK Shivakumar alleged that influential leaders of Shivamogga have hatched a conspiracy to spark communal clashes in the district to divert attention from the suicide of contractor Santhosh Patil, which has resulted in the resignation of senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa from the Basavaraj Bommai cabinet.
The KPCC Chief claimed that the influential leaders of Shivamogga have hatched a conspiracy by planning to murder a Muslim youth, which was thwarted by the police at the right time before the situation went out of hand.
Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Saturday, Shivakumar said a Trust with prominent and influential leaders as members along with their henchmen had hatched a conspiracy to spark communal trouble as part of the game plan to divert attention from the suicide and demand for Eshwarappa’s resignation.
“The Shivamogga police got wind of the plot and took timely action to prevent. If police had not acted in time, communal clashes would have erupted,’’ he said and claimed that he has a copy of the FIR in connection with the plot.
The KPCC Chief complimented the police for their timely action and preventing the possible eruption of communal clashes.
Shivakumar claimed that a prominent leader and member of the Trust, who happens to be the prime accused in the alleged conspiracy is absconding.
“Details of the Trust, its members and other material will come to light soon,’’ he said without elaborating.
To a question on the ruling BJP’s attempts to blame the Congress by pointing fingers at his party, Shivakumar said: “They are free to do anything and not just fingers but even point hands. I am not coming in their way. I have never indulged in double billing for the same work. I will come out with details at the appropriate time.’’
Shivakumar said the BJP government and senior leaders were trying to suppress the contractors for levelling charges against the government over 40% commission and sending complaints to the Chief Minister and Prime Minister.
Asked to comment on Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s statement that there is no need for arresting Eshwarappa as he had done nothing wrong, the KPCC chief said: “Arresting the minister is another issue. But first let a case be registered under the anti-corruption act.’’
“How can the Chief Minister and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa claim that Eshwarappa has not committed anything wrong and he will come out clean in 3 months to become minister again? How can they say such things? Are they judges?’’ he asked and said do they not know that they are influencing the course of investigation even before it has commenced.
In response to the comment by BJP National Secretary and former minister CT Ravi that ‘Shivakumar is a very honest person and has the charisma of Anna Hazare’, the State Congress President said: “CT Ravi is a big national leader. I will not speak anything about him. But I have information of his threatening telephone calls to officials. I have all the details and documents too. I will release them at the right time.’’
The Kedarnath pontiff visited Shivakumar’s residence in the morning and blessed him. “I will visit the Kedarnath Mutt soon. I have highest regard and reverence to the pontiff. I am grateful for his blessings,’’ he said.