Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has flatly denied allegations made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against him in connection with the suicide of the contractor Sachin Panchal. He said the BJP was claiming that 8-page suicide note of the contractor pointed fingers at him and his colleagues, but the minister added that he is absolved of the charge and he awaits the forensic report to clarify the same.
The Suicide Note and Allegations
Sachin Panchal, a local contractor from Bidar, in his suicide note, written before he ended his life, alleged that he has been threatened by Raju Kapanur, alleged to be close to former Congress MLA Priyank Kharge. The note talks about a conspiracy in the murder of several people, that include BJP leaders and, surprisingly, a religious personality, Siddalinga Swami from Andola Math. The note had claimed that Panchal had been asked for Rs 1 crore, of which he had allegedly paid Rs 15 lakh. Kharge denied all these allegations, saying that the note had several discrepancies, including an unsigned page and a baseless conspiracy theory.
Priyank Kharge’s Denial and Statement
Priyank Kharge denied knowing Sachin Panchal personally and dismissed the allegations involving Raju Kapanur in an exclusive interview. He said that the note had several names mentioned, including a brother of a Congress corporator and reiterated that there was no cover-up on the part of the Congress. He again insisted that the party is fully open to a free and fair investigation into the matter. Kharge also sounded incredulous over the claims in the note and said they were “delusional” and added that such incidents do not happen in Karnataka.
BJP’s Demand for a CBI Inquiry
The BJP has demanded a CBI probe in the case, questioning the Karnataka police’s impartiality in the matter. The BJP has criticized the influence that Kharge’s family had over the police in the Kalaburagi district, hinting that an investigation might be compromised. But Kharge countered that each time the investigations were handed to the CBI under the Congress-led governments, the central agency has always upheld the state police findings.
Kharge further criticized the BJP call for a CBI probe stating that it was politically motivated. He said the BJP had developed a “newfound love for the CBI” only when the opposition parties were in power, but had not brought any evidence against him or the government.
Opposition’s Allegations Against BJP’s Factionalism
Priyank Kharge further retaliated to the BJP’s allegations by saying that the party was trying to hide its internal factionalism and political weaknesses by using the death of the contractor as a smokescreen. He claimed that the BJP was trying to divert the attention from its own issues and said that the party was divided internally with its leaders busy covering up their differences.
Political Dynamics and Investigations
So far, the Karnataka government has referred the case to the CID for further investigation. Now, the Congress has urged that there be a free and fair inquiry into it and Kharge has mentioned that once the forensic report comes, the truth must come out.
This has added fuel to the ongoing political tensions between the two, the Congress and the BJP, in Karnataka, where both parties are highly involved in a fierce battle for influence, with all these allegations against Kharge forming a significant point of contention.
In the light of the contractor suicide case that has caused a political storm in Karnataka, the BJP accused Priyank Kharge of involvement and has sought a CBI inquiry. Priyank Kharge, however, turned down the allegations and said to demand a fair investigation on his part. The case might stay under scrutiny as political parties try to control the narrative ahead of the coming polls.
Priyank Kharge Rejects BJP’s Allegations Over Contractor SuicidePriyank Kharge Rejects BJP’s Allegations Over Contractor Suicide