BENGALURU: Even before the Congress government in the state can wriggle out of the controversy involving MLA N A Haris’ son Mohammed Nalapad Haris, another Congress leader — Narayanaswamy — added to the party’s discomfiture by threatening to set ablaze the BBMP office at Horamavu for alleged delay in issuing khata for his property.
The incident, which is said to have occurred on February 16, rocked the state as local TV channels started playing the video footage of the alleged act of vandalism, which shows Narayanaswany, a close confidant of KR Puram MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, splashing what is believed to be petrol, from a bottle in the BBMP office at Horamavu. He allegedly vented his ire at a BBMP official who is said to have declined to issue a khata violating rules.
Narayanaswamy is said to have threatened the official of dire consequences and threw the bottle threatening to set the office ablaze. As the incident caused a ripple with the opposition raising the issue in the legislature, Narayanaswamy denied the charge and said the bottle in question had a chemical liquid and not petrol. Raising the issue in the Assembly, Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar said Karnataka had become a ‘goonda state’. “Your party workers are turning into monsters and their menace is rising day by day. How can a person threaten like this?” he questioned.
As the controversy threatened to further damage the party’s image ahead of the Assembly election, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy to take action. Reddy, in his reply in the Assembly, assured that a suo motu case will be registered and action will be taken. Meanwhile, KPCC president G Parameshwara has suspended Narayanaswamy from the primary membership of the party.
Case registered in Ramamurthy Nagar
Hours after video went viral, Ramamurthy Nagar police booked a case against Narayanaswamy. DCP (East) Ajay Hilori said the case has been booked after BBMP revenue officer Sateesh Kumar filed a complaint with the police. Police teams have been formed to arrest the accused. A case has been booked under IPC sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 427 (mischief causing damage), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).