Yeddy questions 'silence' of Sonia, Rahul on DySPs' 'suicide'

Bengaluru, Jul 17: Karnataka BJP today questioned Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi's "silence" over the alleged suicides of "honest" police officers in the state.

"I would like to ask Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, why you are silent on the death of DySPs? why are you not visiting Karnataka?" BJP Karnataka unit president B S Yeddyurappa said.

"You go to other states on minor issues, but 1,450 farmers have committed suicide, now police officials are committing suicide. If you are still not ready to visit the state and question your Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah), it is clear that you have come to a conclusion that there is no future for you here," he said addressing a BJP rally here.

Mangaluru DySP M K Ganapathy allegedly committed suicide at a lodge in Madikeri on July 7 and in a pre-death declaration blamed minister K J George and a senior official, which has triggered a huge political storm with the opposition demanding the resignation of the minister.

His death came two days after 35-year-old DySP of Chikkamagaluru, Kallappa Handibag, accused of kidnapping a person for ransom, was found hanging in his father-in-law's home at Murgod in Belagavi district. His family had alleged harassment and conspiracy by senior officials.

Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who also spoke at the rally, criticised Siddarmaiah for not attending 'Inter-State Council' meeting chaired by the Prime Minister yesterday.

"The Chief Minister probably did not attend the meeting under the fear that he might have to face an embarrassment, if prime minister questions him about the series of suicides in the state," Gowda said.

BJP will continue its protest against the government on the suicide issue both inside and outside the legislature until the Minister named by the officer resigned, K S Eshwarappa, Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council told reporters in Shivamogga.

"Our protest will continue until George resigns. Until legislature session is on we will protest inside the House, after that we will continue our protest outside," he said.

BJP and JD(S) have been stalling proceedings in the Assembly demanding a CBI probe and resignation of George among others.

With the government refusing to budge and announcing a judicial probe, opposition parties have begun a day-night protest in both Legislative Assembly and Council.

Prior to committing suicide, Ganapathy has given an interview to a local TV channel, saying the minister and A M Prasad (IG-Intelligence) and Pranab Mohanty (IGP- Lokayukta) would be responsible "if anything happens to me."