A Vokkaliga community delegation met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Friday.
A delegation of Vokkaliga legislators, including multiple Ministers, approached Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, advocating for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate serious allegations against BJP MLA and former Minister Munirathna. He was arrested initially for making a casteist slur against the Dalit community, followed by serious charges of sexual violence. A special court for people’s representatives has since granted him bail in the first case.
Additionally, Munirathna faces accusations of making derogatory comments regarding the Vokkaliga community. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar were among the legislators who urged the Chief Minister to initiate the SIT investigation. In response, Siddaramaiah mentioned to reporters in Mysuru, “I informed the leaders that we will deliberate the matter after consulting with Home Minister G. Parameshwara.”
Sangha’s Reaction
The State Vokkaliga Sangha expressed strong disapproval of Munirathna’s remarks. Sangha president C.N. Balakrishna stated, “In a democratic framework, any elected official should feel immense shame for the comments made by Mr. Munirathna,” in an official statement.
In a related development, former MP for Bengaluru Rural D.K. Suresh, who has publicly opposed Munirathna since his defection to the BJP in 2019, called for a comprehensive investigation into the suspected “network” behind Munirathna’s alleged offenses. “Multiple accusations in the FIR indicate that Munirathna is involved in honey-trapping various politicians and police officials for blackmail purposes. There appears to be an organized network linked to these crimes that requires thorough examination,” he asserted. He also criticized Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Leader of Opposition R. Ashok for their defense of Munirathna amid rising controversy.
BJP Responds
BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra addressed the media at a party press conference, asserting that while the party does not seek to shield anyone, it is clear that political opponents who have lost in the Lok Sabha elections are engaging in “vendetta politics.” He questioned the timing of these revelations, stating, “These incidents reportedly occurred in 2020. Why are they emerging only now?”
In a critical note regarding the Congress MLAs and Ministers’ appeal for an SIT to investigate Munirathna’s alleged activities, Vijayendra mockingly suggested that the Chief Minister should appoint Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar or his brother D.K. Suresh as the SIT leader to ensure an unbiased inquiry.
Published – September 20, 2024 09:09 pm IST
