The Opposition has kept up the heat on the government over DySP Ganapathy’s alleged suicide, in both the both houses of the state legislature, while Kodagu district observes a bandh on Thursday.
With the Legislative Council session beginning on Thursday, the Opposition continued its battle against the government there too. Leader of the Opposition in the Council KS Eshwarappa demanded that they would not allow the CM to speak in the Council until Bengaluru Minister KJ George resigned. This led to a verbal duel between Siddaramaiah and Eshwarappa, forcing the Chairperson DH Shankaramurthy to adjourn the session for 20 minutes.
Speaking to journalists, former home minister R Ashok urged the Chief Minister to give in to the demand to order a CBI inquiry. “You are doing all this to protect just one person. You are giving an opportunity for protests across the state, the all-night dharna in the Assembly. Order a CBI inquiry,” Ashok said.
On Wednesday night, several MLAs “slept” on a dharna in the Assembly. About half a dozen MLAs slept on blankets and pillows inside the House itself.
In Kodagu, various organizations had given a call for a district-wide shut down. Several Hindutva groups such as the VHP; RSS’ student wing ABVP; political parties such as the BJP; and Kannada groups have extended support to the bandh.
Ganapathy hailed from Rangasamudra in Somwarpet taluk in Kodagu district, but was posted as DySP in the IGP (Wester Range) office in Mangaluru. He gave his last interview to a channel in Madikeri on Saturday a few hours before killing himself.
In Kushalnagar, various organizations began to take to the streets around 6 am, raising slogans against the government, demanding George’s resignation and also a CBI inquiry into the case.
The focus now turning to a demand for a CBI investigation along with louder demands for KJ George’s resignation.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha too arrived in Kushalnagar on Thursday morning, and joined protesters before heading towards Madikeri, media reported.