The suicide of Deputy SP MK Ganapathy has put the Congress Government in Karnataka led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on a spot and it has dented the image of the party which has failed to even file an FIR before handing over the case to judicial probe. However, many in the corridors of power, especially in the ruling party feel that the party high command must intervene to resolve one of the worst crisis facing the party keeping in view of 2018 Assembly polls which is crucial for the Congress as this is the last bastion.
A senior Congress leader, on the condition of anonymity, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was unnecessary protecting KJ George and making biggest political mistakes which will hamper the prospects of the party in the ensuing Assembly polls. He said, “Congress Government has failed to handle the issue and Chief Minister’s attitude has put all of us in trouble. It is very difficult to face the elections. I don’t expect him to understand this but this is the high time, party high command has to intervene. Already both BJP and JDS have joined to fight us.”
In fact many political analysts feel by joining hands with both BJP and JDs found an issue which was tackled very badly by the ruling party. The overnight Dharna by the Opposition parties in both the Houses which was once a weapon of Siddaramaiah who fought against Bellary illegal mining and became Chief Minister of Congress Government in the State is now been successfully used by the Opposition to counter him.
Even though Siddaramaiah, unfazed by the relentless pressure by the Opposition, refused to hand over the case to the CBI and sack George from the Cabinet, the collective Opposition led by former CMs Shettar and HD Kumaraswamy resolved to stage an indefinite overnight dharna on the floor of the House till Siddaramaiah drops George from the Cabinet and orders a CBI probe into the suicide incident.
Meanwhile, the two Houses of Karnataka legislature were adjourned on Thursday amidst continued dharna by the BJP and JD(S) Opposition demanding the resignation of Bengaluru Development Minister KJ George and CBI probe into the circumstances leading to the suicide by Mangaluru DySP MK Ganapathy.
With the suicide of MK Ganapathy continued to rock the two Houses for the fourth day, both the Assembly and the Council did not witness discussions and some legislation that were adopted by voice vote amidst the Opposition members accusing the Government of not providing opportunity for them to discuss on the legislation.
While the Assembly adopted five Bills, the council passed three Bills. Subsequently the two Houses were adjourned for the day. Speaker KB Koliwad who held Business Advisory and Consultation Committee meeting failed to convince the Opposition parties for smooth the conduct of the House.
The Council witnessed acrimonious scenes in the morning when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rose to make a statement on the issue. leader of Opposition K S Eswarappa of BJP traded heated exchanges with the Chief Minister leading to the adjournment of the house for a brief period. When the Assembly assembled after lunch, the opposition party members thronged into the well and Opposition leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar announced that they will not allow the house to function till Minister George tendered his resignation.
After the Speaker announced passing Bills including Amendment to Stamp Act, Water Supply and Swerage Act, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Act and Karnataka Public Collection Act, and called for discussion on Demands of various departments, Shettar charged that the government is not ready to concede the demand and making way for healthy discussion on important issues.
At this stage, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government is ready for discussion and was prepared to reply to the questions but the Opposition parties are politicising the issue and trying to take political advantage by sticking to their demand. Speaker Koliwad adjourned the House amidst dharna. Even after the houses were adjourned the BJP and JD(S) members continued their dharna.
In another development the ‘Kodagu Bandh’ call given by BJP and various organisations demanding resignation of Karnataka Minister for Bengaluru Development K J George, who was accused of allegedly harassing Mangaluru DySP Ganapathy before committing suicide on July 7, evoked total response on Thursday.