Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday reiterated its demand for a probe into the contractor's suicide by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), putting pressure on the ruling Congress in Karnataka.
The saffron party also sought the resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge and threatened to protest and lay siege to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Kalaburagi in January if the demands were not met.
"The Kharge family is very powerful and the state police cannot investigate them and there is no possibility of impartial investigation. Hence, the matter should be handed over to the CBI," BJP state president B Y Vijayendra told reporters. Civil contractor Sachin Panchal on December 26 allegedly died by suicide by lying before a moving train in Bidar district.
In his suicide note, he accused Priyank Kharge's close aide Raju Kapanur of compelling him to take the drastic step. He alleged that he was receiving death threats to pay rupees one crore to Kapanur who rejected the charges.
Priyank Kharge too said he had no role in the case as the suicide note did not name him. He also demanded an inquiry into the case to bring out the truth. The BJP further intensified its pressure on the government. Vijayendra said the entire police department in and around Kalaburgi district is under the clutches of the Kharge family.
"Without further delay, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should get the resignation of Priyank Kharge. Our second request is, that the matter should be handed over to the CBI," he said. Vijayendra also demanded that the Panchal family should be given protection and compensation of rupees one crore.
One of the family members should be given a government job, he added. On the next course of action, the BJP state president said his party will wait till January 3 to see if the Chief minister orders a CBI inquiry. "Or else BJP will stage a massive protest in Kalaburgi on January 4 and we will also lay siege to Kharge's house," he added.
Vijayendra said there was another important aspect mentioned in Sachin Panchal's suicide note that there was a conspiracy to eliminate MLA Basavaraj Mattimud, BJP leaders Chandru Patil, Manikanth Rathod and a pontiff Siddalinga Swami. "Contract killers were from Maharashtra, which is a very serious matter," he added.
'Kharge Has No Role In Case': Deputy CM
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar sought to give a clean chit to junior Kharge saying he had no role in the case.
"Priyank Kharge has no role in the suicide case. His name has not been mentioned in the suicide note. We know the integrity of Kharge. So there is no question of seeking Kharge's resignation," Shivakumar told reporters.
He also accused the BJP of hurling accusations against Kharge out of jealousy "As an IT-BT Minister Kharge is doing a good job. He is one of the best IT-BT ministers in the country. After S M Krishna, Kharge is doing his best to market the state's IT-BT industries. BJP leaders are unable to digest his success," he said.
However, he said the investigation into the suicide case will continue and culprits will be punished based on the findings of the investigation. He also rejected the BJP's demand for a CBI probe into the case. " It is not a fit case for CBI. Our police are capable (of probing the case)," he added.
Kharge also brushed aside the demand for his resignation and asked BJP leaders to provide proof of his involvement in the suicide case before making allegations against him. (with inputs from PTI)
