CM Siddaramaiah, Ramanath Rai using unrest to suppress rivals: Suresh Kumar

Mysuru: Senior BJP leader, Mr Suresh Kumar said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Mr Ramanath Rai are using the murder case of RSS worker Sharath Madivala to repress their opponents. He was speaking to mediapersons, here on Wednesday.

Mr Suresh Kumar said, "It is quite unfortunate that so far a peace meet has not been held. Instead of pointing to the role of some people in the riots, the real culprits must be nabbed after a sincere investigation. The state government is engaging in vote bank politics by alleging that BJP was responsible for the riots in Mangaluru. The BJP is functioning as a responsible opposition party. It has never provoked any riot. The BJP does not have to take political advantage of the situation in Dakshina Kannada district. It is the state government which is protecting the culprits," Mr Suresh Kumar said.

He continued, "The law and order situation has completely collapsed in the state. The Congress government has lost the confidence of the people." The former minister also condemned retired IPS officer and Home department advisor, Mr Kempaiah for his handling of the situation in Mangaluru.

Meanwhile Dakshina Kannada BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel held the state government responsible for the incidents in the district and demanded the resignation of Ministers Ramanath Rai and U.T. Khader.

At a press meet in Mangaluru on Wednesday, he alleged that the state government had turned the police department into a puppet. "If there is an NIA inquiry then the real colour of the Congress will be revealed," Nalin told reporters.

"As the incidents have taken place in the constituencies of Rai and Khader, they have to take responsibility and resign from their posts or necessary action should be taken," he said.