KOLAR: Political violence broke out on Saturday night, leading to the murder of a BJP worker in D Settihalli, under Nandagudi police limits in Hoskote. The incident came to light on Sunday afternoon. Police registered a case against four Congress workers.
According to police sources, celebrations began soon after Sharath Bache Gowda was declared the winner. He had contested against former minister MTB Nagaraj. Gowda’s followers burst crackers and distributed sweets, forcing police to disperse the mob. Congress workers allegedly burst crackers in front of the house of Krishnappa (55), a BJP worker who had campaigned for Nagaraj. They threw the crackers near his house and raised slogans, and there was a heated altercation.
A group of persons said to be his relatives, were assaulted with weapons. When his wife and son tried to rescue them, they were injured and rushed to hospital. Krishnappa sustained injuries on his chest and died on the spot.
Cong implementing ‘violence guarantee’
Several state BJP leaders have condemned the alleged attack on party workers across Karnataka. BJP state president and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said the Congress is implementing the “Violence Guarantee” scheme after coming to power with a complete majority.
“A BJP worker has been killed in Hoskote and two more workers have sustained serious injuries... an autorickshaw driver has been assaulted in Shivamogga for supporting BJP,” Kateel stated in a press release “Congress leaders should not allow violence... several anti-national activities are taking place in the state. Hoisting the flag of Pakistan (allegedly in Bhatkal) is an anti-national act and this should have been prevented,” Kateel said. Taking to Twitter, BJP Karnataka blamed the Congress for the attacks and said that they (Congress supporters) have lost their minds. “Congress will bring goondaraj and law and order will take a hit in the next five years,” it said.