Ramesh Jarkiholi's supporters pelt stones at Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar's car in Belagavi
KPCC president DK Shivakumar’s car was greeted with stones and black flags as protests against him grew in Belagavi.
FollowAs the sex-for-job CD controversy surrounding Ramesh Jarkiholi continues to rock political circles in Karnataka, stones were pelted at state Congress president DK Shivakumar’s car while he was in Belagavi, a stronghold of the former BJP minister.
After former Karnataka minister Ramesh Jarkiholi alleged that DK Shivakumar is a ‘criminal-minded’ politician and he would “pay the price” for ‘framing’ him in the sex-for-job scandal, his supporters began protests which escalated when DKS arrived at Belagavi. DKS’ aides confirmed that he and his support staff were not injured.
Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah termed the incident a “BJP-sponsored act”. He wrote on Twitter, “I condemn the act of stone-pelting by followers of Ramesh Jarkiholi on the vehicles of @KPCCPresident @DKShivakumar. This is @BJP4Karnataka sponsored act. People of Karnataka will not let this go.”
DK Shivakumar was travelling to campaign in the Jarkiholi stronghold of Belagavi, for the impending byelections there along with senior party colleagues including former ministers Ramalinga Reddy and MB Patil.
Reacting to the protest in Belagavi, Shivakumar said, "For what good are these people protesting? I am visiting the district in order to campaign for Lok Sabha bye-elections. I do not want any security."
With regard to the sleaze CD case, Shivakumar said, "He (Ramesh Jarkiholi) is giving countless statements himself and through other people, whom he brings to the city from other parts of the state. Let the police preserve their honour. Let the government do whatever it wants. I will not file any defamatory case. They are trying to close down the case without inquiry. Parents of the victim girl have filed a complaint. Let them file. The victim girl has answered her parents through video. When investigation takes place, truth will prevail."
Police resorted to lathi charge as the protesters tried to gherao the vehicles in the entourage of DK Shivakumar. They waved black flags and threw slippers and stones at the convoy, as per reports. Some of the protestors were taken into custody by the police. A tense situation prevailed near the airport.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters that the woman and her family have been assured of all protection. "Yet, she is refusing to record her statement. We have even said we will go to wherever she is and take her statement. There is no question of anyone influencing the SIT," he said, dismissing the allegations of the woman that there was a nexus between the police and the accused former minister.
