Congress high command shielding George: HD Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: Accusing central leaders of Congress of protecting Minister K J George despite the charges of harassment made against him by the late police officer, M K Ganapati, Janata Dal (S) state chief H.D. Kumaraswamy claimed on Friday that it was letting electoral compulsions get the better of it.

With the Congress facing elections in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, it needed both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mr George to provide the necessary funds, he alleged, speaking to reporters here.

“They are looting the state for  party expenses,” he charged, demanding the resignations of both Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr George in the circumstances.

Asked about his party joining hands with the BJP, Mr Kumaraswamy said it was confined to only the  agitation in the legislature for Mr George’s resignation. His party would, however, not join the BJP in its proposed padyatra from Madikeri, he clarified.

Pointing to the many cases of unrest in the state’s police force, he said now an excise inspector, Shashikala Siddappa Wodeyar had complained of harassment.

“When the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner has herself filed a case against the Chief Minister's associate, what protection can other officials expect in the state?” he demanded.

Taking a dig at the Home Minister's advisor, Kempaiah, Mr Kumaraswamy wondered what advice a person, who had resigned from the police force pleading inability to perform his duty, give the government.