Hubballi, Dec 17: Even as the Karnataka state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party has continued target Congress over the murder of Dharwad Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gouda, his aggrieved widow Mallamma has slammed the saffron party for taking political advantage of her husband’s death.
Yogesh Gouda, a local BJP leader, who was elected to the Zilla Panchayat while still in prison, was cornered outside his own gym in Saptapur and hacked to death by a gang of miscreants in June this year. BJP leaders have claimed that he was killed by loyalists of Mines and Geology Minister, Vinay Kulkarni.
However, speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Saturday Mallamma revealed that those BJP leaders who are demanding “justice” for her and giving statements to the media had been actually harassing her and trying to use her for their political benefits.
Mallamma has also lodged a complaint with the Karnataka State Women’s Commission against her father-in-law, brother-in-law and a few BJP leaders.
Mallamma had gone missing since Thursday night when BJP leaders had started spreading rumours that she was abducted by Congress leaders. Her in-laws had alleged that Mr Kulkarni was forcing her to join the Congress. But Mallamma suddenly appeared before the media in Bengaluru on Saturday and rubbished all speculation that she was kidnapped by Congressmen and alleged that her in-laws and some BJP leaders were harassing her.
Accusing them of politicising the death of her husband, she demanded protection. “The reports of Congress leaders abducting me are false as I was in hospital being treated for some health issues. I am joining the Congress of my own free will as I am confident that CM Siddaramaiah will provide me justice by nabbing the killers of my husband.”
“No one has pressured me to join Congress. I am a well qualified woman and can take my own decisions. I will return to my village only after meeting the CM and joining the Congress as he is like a father figure from our Kuruba community,” Mallamma clarified.
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