Bangalore: Just over two weeks to go for by-elections in Chamundeswari the political temperature has gone up in Karnataka.
The Congress, which is expecting former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah to win his re-election bid from the seat, is alleging political witch-hunt after a case was slapped on former minister and MLA D K Shivakumar.
Supporters of MLA D K Shivakumar protest in Bangalore – their grouse, their leader has been charged with illegal stocking of iron ore in Bellary and an FIR has been lodged against five members of his family, including his wife.
Congressmen claim he is being targeted because the party has brought up several cases against the Gowda family.
Reaction to the incident Shivakumar said: “Mr Kumaraswamy's family had exported Rs 30 crore worth of iron ore from the illegal mining area. To cover up that to give a threat to me to see that I never participated in Chamundeswari elections thinking that I am a big threat to him and his family members, yesterday night he has filed an FIR by the forest department.”
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on the other hand, insists he is merely trying to answer critics such as former BJP MLC Janardhana Reddy who accused him of allowing illegal mining in Bellary district after taking bribes.
“They went to the Prime Minister and President with a memorandum about mineral activities. I have told my officers to investigate wherever illegal activities are there. I have ordered for thorough enquiry,” Kumaraswamy said.
With former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiha's seeking re-election from Chamundeswari on December 4, there is likely to be more political mud slinging in the coming weeks.
With inputs from Priyajana Dutta & Deepa Balakrishnan
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