Amidst escalating tensions between Karnataka's political factions, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar sought to quell accusations of vendetta politics asserting the party's commitment to fairness and justice. His statement came in response to the Karnataka BJP's allegations that the warrant issued against former CM BS Yediyurappa in a POCSO case was politically motivated, especially in light of Rahul Gandhi's recent legal entanglement with the saffron party.
On Thursday, a special court in Bengaluru issued a non-bailable warrant against former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa in connection with POCSO case against him.
Responding to BJP's accusations of revenge politics, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar refuted the claims, emphasising the respect shown to the legal process. "Why did they include Rahul Gandhi? In what way is he connected? He was being summoned to the Bengaluru Court and came all the way respecting the court... We do not want to do vendetta politics, we are very big-hearted," Shivakumar stated.
Non-Bailable Warrant To BS Yediyurappa: BJP Calls It Vendatta Politics
On a non-bailable warrant issued against former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai said, "It looks like a part of a conspiracy by Congress but BS Yediyurappa will come out clean from this case."
Reacting to the developments, former BJP national General Secretary C.T. Ravi questioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's stance, accusing him of engaging in "Vendetta politics"
"Is this not Vendetta politics? CM Siddaramaiah claimed he wouldn't pursue the politics of hatred, but now he is doing just that. The people of the state will question this," Ravi asserted.
Ravi further alleged that the Congress's actions were driven by a desire for retaliation, pointing to Rahul Gandhi's recent court appearance in Bengaluru. "Since Rahul Gandhi was brought to the court in Bengaluru, the Congress also wants BJP to be dragged to the court," he claimed.
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Karnataka Ministers, Victim's Lawyer Deny Vendetta Politics
Congress leaders and the victim's lawyer vehemently denied the allegations by BJP.
On the allegation, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said, "BJP says so. They had sent the video to FSL, the report should come, right? All checks should be done as per the procedure. Yediyurappa is a senior person and one of the VIPs, so everything should be checked. There is an arrest warrant against Yeddiyurappa. It would be good if he comes soon. Rahul Gandhi is not involved in this. BJP is just making a story. This does not make sense."
The advocate of the victim, S Balan said, "There is no political vendetta. She (the victim) has no political connection. None of the politicians have approached me either. It is fiction and just an imagination of the supporters of former CM..."
"I never met anyone from the Government or Police or anybody else. It's purely a private case, no nexus whatsoever with any government agency," he said.