BENGALURU: In a radical statement which could fire up emotions, former BJP minister and Lok Sabha member Shobha Karandlaje accused urban development minister Roshan Baig with ordering the murder of RSS worker Rudresh, and sought a CBI probe into the recent daylight slaying on Commercial Street. The Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP, who described Rudresh's murder as "state-sponsored killing" during an interaction with the media on Friday, alleged that the RSS worker was eliminated at the behest of Mr Baig. "The police have informed us about Baig's involvement in the murder. We demand that the state government must hand over the case to CBI, and the CM should sack the minister immediately", she added.
Dismissing the MP's allegations against him as a "cheap publicity gimmick,” Mr Baig said he would initiate legal action against her. "She does not know about my rapport with RSS workers of Shivajinagar. A majority of Hindu, Jain and Christian voters have elected me from Shivajinagar,” the minister added.
Ms. Karandlaje stuck to her guns saying that she was ready to face any legal action from Baig. "If Baig was not involved in the killing, then why is he afraid to hand over the case to CBI”, Shobha asked.
During an interaction with the media here, she said: “It is getting clear that minister Roshan Baig is directly involved in it,” adding that many officials had expressed suspicion and the people of the area, police and intelligence officials and her party workers in the area were saying that Mr Baig himself got Rudresh killed by “giving supari (contract)". Alleging that Rudresh was killed to “halt his personal growth” and also that of the organisation in the area, she demanded a CBI or an NIA enquiry into the murder and dismissal of Mr Baig from the cabinet.
She alleged “Roshan Baig is directly involved in killing of RSS worker Rudresh. Thus, the government should hand over the case to CBI for investigation.” Stating that she is ready to face legal action by Mr Baig, she added “If Baig was not involved in the killing, then why is he afraid of handing over the case to CBI?” Accusing SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India), the PFI and others of involvement in the murder of several Sangh Parivar activists, she demanded a ban on these outfits.
Five persons, including Bengaluru chief of Popular Front of India (PFI) have been arrested in connection with the case so far. Rudresh, 35, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men on October 16, and died on the spot.
BJP leader, who staged protests over Rudresh's murder, had blamed the “Unholy nexus of Jihadists and Marxists” for the killing and had named the PFI.
Baig: Ready for any probe
Dismissing the BJP leader’s allegations as “cheap publicity gimmick,” Mr Roshan Baig said he would face any probe but would contemplate legal action against her.
Minister Roshan Baig
Mr. Baig said: “people of Shivajinagar know me very well. Even Mr. Rudresh knew me. I have a very good rapport with RSS workers of Shivajinagar. A majority of Hindu, Jain and Christian voters have elected me from Shivajinagar. She has come from Mangaluru. She does not know about Shivajinagar. She is doing this for publicity,” he told the media.
Mr Baig claimed that he had opposed organisations such as SDPI and PFI and said Rudresh was a “good man” and there was no reason for him to give ‘supari’ and get him killed. “I am ready for any kind of an inquiry, whether it is by CBI or an NIA enquiry,” the minister said.
