BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has rejected BJP’s demand for the resignation of Bengaluru Development Minister KJ George in the backdrop of CBI registering an FIR against the minister in the alleged suicide case of DySP M K Ganapathy. He hit back at the rival party, accusing it of misusing the CBI for political gains.
“There is no need for George to resign as he was re-inducted into the ministry after the CID filed a ‘B’ report clearing the charges against him,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister questioned the significance of the FIR registered by CBI as it is the same as the one registered in Kushalanagar by state police. “The CID, which probed the case, has given a clean chit to the minister. The Supreme Court, which has ordered a CBI probe into the case, has not named George anywhere in its order. Registering an FIR by CBI is a natural course of action following the apex court order,” he said.
Rejecting the BJP’s argument that “George should resign again as he could influence the investigation and tamper with the evidence,” Siddaramaiah argued that George is no more the Home Minister of the state and questioned the BJP leaders how George could influence CBI which is under the BJP-led Union government. “The question of interfering or influencing the investigation does not arise at all,” he said.
Quoting the Supreme Court order handing over the investigation to CBI, Siddaramaiah said, the apex court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case and has not mentioned George’s name anywhere. “CBI may investigate afresh or in continuation of the investigation already done by CID,” the apex court has said in its order, Siddaramaiah pointed out.
He termed BJP’s demand for George’s resignation as politically motivated to damage the image of George and the Congress government to make political gains with an eye on the forthcoming assembly election. “We also have decided to face it politically and legally,” Siddaramaiah declared.
‘What about tainted ministers in Modi cabinet?’
Hitting back at the BJP, which has drawn up a state-wide agitation plan demanding George's resignation, Siddaramaiah said, "An FIR is not proof of allegation or charges. FIRs have been registered against so many ministers in union government; 20 of the 64 ministers in Modi government have been booked too. Of these 11 are facing serious criminal cases, including charges of attempt to murder. They should also quit. Will the BJP leaders demand their resignation too?" Siddaramaiah asked.
"Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has been booked for serious criminal cases including attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and rioting. FIRs have been registered against Karnataka BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa on charges of cheating, breach of trust and forgery. Will the BJP leaders launch an agitation against them too?" Siddaramaiah challenged.