An FIR has been filed in Bengaluru against BJP MLA Basan Gowda Patil Yatnal based on a complaint by Congress worker S. Manohar. The complaint claimed that Yatnal, during a media interaction, accused a leader of setting aside Rs 1,000 crore in a bid to secure the Chief Minister’s position. Manohar contended that this statement has caused distress among Congress members and demanded a legal investigation.
Following a complaint by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary S. Manohar, the High Grounds police have registered a case under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to malicious or wanton provocation intended to incite a riot, as per PTI.
On Sunday, Yatnal claimed during an event in Davangere that a "great leader" from a party had allocated a significant sum of money to overthrow the Congress government and assume the position of Chief Minister. However, he did not disclose the identity of this "great leader."
After his comment, the Karnataka Congress announced its plan to file complaints with both the Income Tax Department and the police, based on Yatnal’s controversial remarks. During a recent press briefing, the BJP legislator hinted that "many people" in Karnataka had reserved significant funds to disrupt the state government. Yatnal also alleged that several Congress members were prepared to "buy MLAs" to ascend to the Chief Minister’s chair.
Meanwhile, this incident also added to the ongoing internal disputes within the BJP in Karnataka. Yatnal has long been at odds with a faction led by state BJP president B Y Vijayendra. Recently, the RSS and BJP leadership intervened to mediate between these factions to prevent public embarrassment.
Last month, Basan Gowda was booked in another case for allegedly insulting Rahul Gandhi. The FIR was based on a complaint filed by S Manohar claiming that Gowda used derogatory language against Rahul Gandhi and allegedly insulted religious communities.