BJP, Congress At Loggerheads Over Karnataka Contractor Suicide, Kharge Says 'Probe Will Reveal Truth'

Last Updated:December 30, 2024, 14:32 IST

The BJP has zeroed in on Congress Minister Priyank Kharge, escalating demands for his resignation and accusing him of shielding those allegedly involved in the death of Bidar contractor Sachin Panchal.

The BJP has demanded a high-level investigation into Panchal’s death and has intensified calls for Kharge’s resignation. (Image: X)

The suicide of two contractors — one during the BJP regime and another during the Congress regime — has turned into a political slugfest between Karnataka’s ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP. The BJP has zeroed in on Congress Minister Priyank Kharge, escalating demands for his resignation and accusing him of shielding those allegedly involved in the death of Bidar contractor Sachin Panchal.

“Where is the evidence? Is there anything that points towards me? Not at all. Let there be an independent enquiry," Priyank Kharge told News18, dismissing the allegations.

The BJP, which recently targeted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over corruption allegations in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case and Minister B Nagendra who was asked to step down from the Siddaramaiah cabinet for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam, has now gone for Karnataka Minister and son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyank Kharge’s jugular, so they say.

But will heads roll? Congress insiders say that a probe will be conducted and the facts investigated, and till then, the BJP can say what they want. “Unlike the BJP’s case where Eswarappa was named directly, this is just a case of mudslinging, and even the minister has asked for an independent enquiry. Have some patience, let law take its course," said a senior Congress leader.

The government has handed over the probe to the CID.

The BJP’s attack comes after Panchal, in his suicide note, highlighted the difficulties faced by contractors in obtaining government projects and named Raju Kapanur, reportedly among Kharge’s inner circle. “The contractor Panchal mentioned Kapanur, a close aide of Kharge, in the death note, saying the latter was threatening him to pay money," said Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, making a direct connection between the accused in the alleged suicide note and Minister Kharge.

“Raju Kapanur is identified in Kharge’s close circle of people. He was also a corporator in Kalaburagi and has a history of being previously arrested on charges of possessing an illegal pistol. Despite knowing all this, Priyank has not distanced himself from such anti-social elements, which clearly means that a government of goons and rowdies is running in our state," alleged Ashoka.

Kharge acknowledged that Kapanur was a party worker but denied any direct connection to the suicide.

Speaking to News18, Kharge explained, “The contractor claimed he was promised a tender from KIADB, but neither my department, RDPR, nor I, have any role in this matter. The accused say the contractor approached them, they transferred money as part of a legitimate transaction, and later realised it was a fake tender. They admit to demanding their money back but deny abetting the suicide."

Kharge questioned the BJP’s intentions, asking, “Why jump to conclusions? Let an independent probe be conducted. If anyone linked to me is found guilty, action will be taken."

The Congress also hit back, pointing out that the BJP faced a similar situation when KS Eshwarappa, a senior BJP leader and former RDPR minister, resigned after contractor Santosh Patil committed suicide in 2022. Patil, in a WhatsApp message, had accused Eshwarappa of demanding bribes for government projects. Though Eshwarappa received a clean chit from the CID months later, the incident dented the BJP’s image at the time. Eshwarappa’s name was mentioned in the suicide note by the contractor. His links as clearly there, said the Congress.

The BJP has demanded a high-level investigation into Panchal’s death and has intensified calls for Kharge’s resignation. “The Kharge family cannot be above the law," Ashoka said, emphasising the need for accountability.

Kharge, however, has maintained his stance, asserting, “I have already requested the Home Minister to conduct a thorough probe, even if the accused are linked to me or the Congress. There will be no attempt to suppress the matter, and a fair probe will be conducted, as is what the Congress has always been doing," he said.

“Will the Ambedkar Constitution not apply to the Kharge family? Priyank Kharge, who preaches morality to others, must resign immediately. He is neither the ‘Nizam of Kalaburagi’ nor are his followers ‘Razakars’," Ashoka said, urging Kharge to step down like their minister did when he was accused of a similar suicide.

BJP Accuses Kharge Of Turning Kalaburagi Into A Republic

The BJP has further accused Priyank Kharge of turning Kalaburagi into a “Republic of Kalaburagi," alleging that his family dominates the district’s administration through corruption and intimidation.

Kharge, speaking to News18, said that if the BJP considers Kalaburagi as a “Republic" under him, then they (BJP) have to live with it.

Minister Kharge explained, “There is no doubt about it being a Republic. It is a developmental republic. If they have a problem with that, what can we do? We have recently allocated Rs 5,000 crore; we also inaugurated a Jayadeva hospital there. This is not like the BJP’s Republic of Bellary. They looted the people there, leaving them with nothing. Our republic of Kalaburagi is one of development, where people benefit from the schemes and see progress," countered Kharge.

The BJP, which has decided to launch another campaign against Kharge, after having built one on Siddaramaiah and Nagendra, now sees Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, stating, “The police in Kalaburagi act as if they are under Priyank Kharge’s sole command. Corruption in awarding contracts is rampant, and this led to Sachin Panchal’s suicide. Illegal sand mining and rackets involving tiles and cement factories are flourishing under Kharge’s watch.

Narayanaswamy also accused the Kharge family of silencing critics, particularly from Dalit communities, through police harassment. “If anyone, especially Dalits, speaks against them, they face police intimidation," he alleged.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya alleged irregularities in land deals involving the Kharge family. “Mallikarjun Kharge’s family trust recently returned five acres of KIADB land in Bengaluru acquired under the Dalit quota. The details coming out, thanks to Sonia Gandhi’s RTI legislation, are rich in evidence. It’s chaos within the Congress; no one is loyal to anyone except their chair," Siroya posted on X.

News politics BJP, Congress At Loggerheads Over Karnataka Contractor Suicide, Kharge Says 'Probe Will Reveal Truth'