FIR Against Cong MLA for Attacking Colleague, Suspended from Party
Resort politics has once again taken centre-stage in the state of Karnataka amid allegations of poaching.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
The Karnataka Congress on Monday, 21 January, suspended its legislator JN Ganesh, who has been accused of assaulting fellow MLA Anand Singh.
Ganesh was also slapped with a case of attempt to murder for allegedly hitting Singh during an alleged brawl at the Eagleton Resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Saturday, 19 January. The resort is where Congress lawmakers are cooped up amid allegations of poaching by the BJP.
The case was registered on a complaint by Singh, who has been hospitalised for an injury he suffered in the alleged brawl.
However, the party maintained that Anand Singh was injured after he suffered a fall and there was no fighting between its lawmakers “as alleged by the BJP”.
- FIR filed against Congress MLA JN Ganesh for attacking a fellow Congressman
- Accused MLA Ganesh denied reports of brawl with colleague lawmaker Anand Singh, who was hospitalised after he was allegedly injured in his head
- The Congress on 20 January, also issued notices to its four legislators who skipped a crucial legislature party meeting amid the BJP’s alleged poaching attempt
- Two Independent MLAs – R Shankar and H Nagesh – had withdrawn their support to the JD(S)-Congress coalition
MLA Injured After He Suffered a Fall, No Fighting: Congress
The Congress on Monday said its Karnataka MLA Anand Singh was injured after he suffered a fall and there was no fighting between its lawmakers "as alleged by the BJP”.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi played down the alleged incident involving Anand Singh and Ganesh and accused the BJP of spreading such news about fighting between MLAs of the ruling party.
The party appeared to be in a damage control mode after the row involving Ganesh who was slapped with a case of attempt to murder for allegedly hitting Anand Singh during a brawl.
"There is no fighting. I think the BJP stands exposed. The official version which we have heard it, somebody suffered a fall [sic]," Singhvi told reporters.
Asked about the alleged violence that took place, he said, "This is your version, I don't know about it."
(PTI)
JN Ganesh Suspended From Party Pending Investigation
Congress MLA JN Ganesh has been suspended from the party by VY Ghorpade, General Secretary KPCC, on the directions of Dinesh Gundu Rao, the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. A Special Committee has been constituted by Congress party under Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka G Parameshwara with State Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda and KJ George as members to investigate the clash issue between party members, reported ANI.
FIR Filed Against Congress MLA for Attacking Fellow Congressman
An FIR has been filed against Congress MLA JN Ganesh by Congress MLA Anand Singh on Monday. The FIR was lodged with the Ramanagara police under section 323 (Assault), 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 307 (Attempt to murder) and 506 (Criminal intimidation). Anand Singh was allegedly attacked by Ganesh during a brawl at Eagleton Resort.
Cong MLA Anand Singh Being Treated After Alleged Brawl
Congress MLA Anand Singh is being treated at Apollo Hospital after reports of alleged brawl with Congress MLAs JN Ganesh and Bheema Naik, reported ANI.
All MLAs Will Leave Resort Soon: Senior Cong Leaders
Former Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday, 21 January, said that Congress MLAs, who have been holed up at the Eagleton resort to thwart alleged poaching attempts by the BJP, will leave soon.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dinesh Gundu Rao also said, “All the MLAs are going back to their constituencies. We had come here to fight the attempt by BJP to destabilize this government. We are very confident that our government is safe, secure and strong.
'It is All a Lie': Cong MLA On Reports of Brawl
Reacting to reports of an alleged brawl with MLA Anand Singh, Congress legislator JN Ganesh said, "I did not hurt him. It is all a lie. If he's hurt, I along with my family will go and apologise to him.”
Siddaramaiah Calls Another CLP Meeting at 11 am Today
Former CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah has called another CLP meeting at 11 am in Bengaluru on Monday, 21 January. All MLAs have been directed to attend the meeting.
Anand Singh's Wife Threatens Legal Action Against MLA JN Ganesh
The wife of Karnataka Congress MLA Anand Singh on Sunday, 20 January threatened to take legal action against the errant MLA.
Ganesh is among the disgruntled Congress MLAs who was reportedly in touch with other dissidents in the party and on the BJP's radar in its alleged toppling game.
"If it is true that Ganesh beat up my husband, my children and I will not keep quiet and will take legal action against him," Laxmi Singh told a section of media from Mumbai.
She is currently in Mumbai to attend a relative's wedding and is expected to return to Bengaluru soon.
Asked if there was a scuffle between Ganesh and Singh in the recent past, she said:
“No, they are good friends. Yes, my husband told me that in the last Congress Legislature Party meeting, there was a heated exchange with (legislator) Bheema Naik. Other than that, he did not tell me anything.”Laxmi Singh
Replying to another query, Laxmi said she does not know when Singh would be discharged from the hospital. "My relatives, including my brothers, who are at the hospital, said my husband is in pain," she said.
"I have made several calls, but I was told he was sleeping. Nobody is telling me the exact account of my husband's condition," she said, adding that her son had spoken to Minister DK Shivakumar, who said Singh was fine.
(PTI)
'Brawl Has Made All 224 Legislators Hang Their Heads in Shame': Yeddyurappa
State BJP president BS Yeddyurappa urged Governor Vajubhai Vala and Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to seek a report on the incident involving the two MLAs.
Yeddyurappa said Siddaramaiah was answerable for the incident and demanded that police record Singh's statement.
“The brawl between Congress MLAs in a resort and resultant hospitalisation of Anand Singh, has made all 224 legislators hang their heads in shame. Both the Governor and Speaker must intervene and seek a report on the incident for taking suitable action.”BS Yeddyurappa
(PTI)
Congress Issues Notices to Four MLAs for Skipping CLP Meet
The Congress on Sunday, 20 January, issued notices to its four legislators who skipped a crucial legislature party meeting amid the BJP’s alleged poaching attempt.
In its notices to the four MLAs, the Congress party sought to know why action should not be taken against them under the anti-defection law for not attending the Friday's Congress Legislature Party Meeting that was a show of strength against BJP's alleged bid to dislodge the ruling coalition.
(PTI)
'Scuffle Was Related to Some Business Issue': Congress Spokesperson
Congress spokesperson and former Nizamabad MP Madhu Goud Yakshi said the scuffle between the two Congress MLAs was related to some business issue and had nothing to do with politics.
“It was personal district related. They are all together in business. The scuffle has nothing to do with politics. They come from the same district and have business relations. It (the fight) is something related to that. It has nothing to do with politics.”Congress spokesperson Madhu Goud Yakshi
The two MLAs had the dinner together in his presence and everything was cordial but after he left, the fight broke out, Yakshi told PTI.
(PTI)
It was a Minor Fight Between Friends: Zameer Ahmed
Following the reports of scuffle between two Congress MLAs, Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed said, “All three are friends. They were having a discussion, it happens between friends. It was a minor fight between friends. Nobody has got any stitches; there hasn't been any blood loss.”
Police Should File a Suo-Motu Case: BJP MLA
Hitting out at the Congress, BJP MLA R Ashok said, “DK Shivakumar and DK Suresh are confusing people by telling lies. Doctors of Apollo Hospital should come out and give clarification about whether Anand Singh is admitted for chest pain treatment or for something else. Police should file a suo-motu case and investigate.”
Anand Singh in Hospital Following a Chest Pain
Congress leaders have rubbished the reports of a brawl at the resort, reported NDTV. Speaking to reporters, DK Suresh, who was at the hospital, said that Anand Singh was hospitalised after he felt a chest pain.
Have Seen it Through Media, Don't Know What Happened: Deputy CM
Following the reports of scuffle between two Congress MLAs, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, G Parameshwara said, “I have seen that only through media. I was there till 8:00. I don't know what has happened but I will let you know. Once I come out, I'll definitely let you know.”
Congress MLA Hospitalised After Scuffle With Another MLA in Resort: Reports
Congress MLA Anand Singh has been hospitalised after he was hit on his head with a bottle by another Congress MLA JN Ganesh on Saturday night, the local media has reported. However, senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar has denied the reports.
Meanwhile, the BJP took a dig at the Congress and in a series of tweets said that the Karnataka Congress President was unable to stop that fight of his own MLAs.
Karnataka BJP MLAs Return From Gurgaon
Karnataka BJP MLAs have returned to the state from Gurgaon where they were lodged in a private resort for the past a few days.
State BJP president BS Yeddyurappa had asked all 104 party MLAs to return and they flew back to the state late Saturday night, BJP MLC Lehar Singh told PTI.
"Some of them have directly flown back to their constituencies and others including former deputy chief ministers R Ashoka and K S Eshwarappa returned to Bengaluru," he said.
AICC President To Meet MLAs Individually on 20 Jan: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dinesh Gundu Rao said, the current political scenario, drought situation and other issues plaguing the state were discussed at the CLP meeting.
AICC Keneral Secretary KC Venugopal will meet the legislators individually on Sunday, 20 January and the decision on the future course of action will be taken, he added.
Congress Legislature Party Meeting Begins in Bengaluru
The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting at Eagleton resort in Bengaluru is currently underway.
Ready to Sacrifice My Berth: DK Shivakumar
DK Shivakumar, while addressing a press conference at Vidhan Soudha, said, “All senior ministers are willing to give up cabinet berths to accommodate others. If high command asks us we shall do it. I'm ready to sacrifice my berth too.”
Gradually 20-25 MLAs Will Leave Congress: KS Eshwarappa, BJP
Senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa, BJP said, “All BJP MLAs are united, they will return today. Congress has no plans for development of Karnataka, gradually 20-25 MLAs will leave Congress. Siddaramaiah lost the CM post. Since then, he has become like a 'pagal' that is why he is targeting BS Yeddyurappa.”
(ANI)
Volcano Waiting to Erupt in Cong-JD(S) Alliance: BSY
Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa said some Congress MLAs skipping the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting and the deep differences between the ruling coalition partners are an indication that a volcano may erupt in the coming days, reported PTI.
“The absence of Congress MLAs from the CLP meeting and deep differences between the coalition partners are an indication that this is likely to erupt as a volcano in the next coming days.”BS Yeddyurappa
Not Destabilising Govt, Cong-JD(S) Need Not Worry: BS Yeddyurapa
Addressing a press conference, BJP State President BS Yeddyurpappa said the party lawmakers were returning to Karnataka, after which they will embark on a tour to survey the drought-hit regions.
“Our MLAs are returning to Bengaluru from Delhi. We will tour the state and analyse the situation of drought. We will not destabilise this govt at any cost. Congress and JDS need not worry.”
BJP Attempting to Destabilise Govt: KPCC President
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s President Dinesh Gundu Rao tweeted alleging that the BJP was doing “their best to destabilise the coalition government in Karnataka and install a BJP regime through unconstitutional means.”
BS Yeddyurappa Calls Back BJP MLAs
BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa calls back BJP MLAs who were lodged in a Gurugram resort to avoid ‘alleged poaching’, reports ANI.
Modi, Shah Indulging in Destabilising the Coalition Govt: Siddaramaiah
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, 19 January, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah of indulging in destabilising the coalition government as they fear getting just three or four seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
“All our MLAs will stay together, we will discuss there about drought situation. All our MLAs, MPs and ministers will stay together at one place... We will stay as long it is necessary.”Siddaramaiah
"We will discuss about party issues... to escape from the onslaught by the BJP. We will discuss about drought, parliament election also," he added.
(PTI)
4 Congress MLAs Skip CLP Meet, Exposes Chinks in Ruling Coalition
Exposing chinks in the ruling coalition in Karnataka, four dissidents on Friday, 18 January, skipped the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Bengaluru that was called as a show of strength against an alleged bid by the BJP to dislodge the HD Kumaraswamy government.
The absence of four lawmakers posed no imminent threat to the seven-month old Congress-JDS government in the numbers game but suggested that all was not well within the Congress which is still wrestling with dissidence.
The Congress would issue notices to absentee MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi, who was dropped as minister in the recent Cabinet rejig and is said to be extremely unhappy over it, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli, Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meet.
He said 76 MLAs were present at the meeting, also attended by Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal and deputy chief minister G Parameshwara, besides other state leaders.
(PTI)