Contractor’s suicide in Karnataka sparks war of words between Congress and BJP – Karnataka News

The suicide of a 26-year-old contractor in Karnataka’s Bidar district has sparked a fresh political dispute between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. The incident, which saw serious allegations leveled against Congress minister’s advisor Priyank Kharge, has turned into a flashpoint with both sides accusing each other of politicizing the issue.

Artist, Sachin Panchal, he ended his life by jumping in front of a train on Thursday, leaving behind a seven-page death certificate. The note alleged that Raju Kapanur, a known troublemaker and close associate of Priyanka Kharge, had extorted money from him and threatened to kill him over a tender dispute. Panchal accused Kapanur of cheating him of Rs 15 lakh and demanding Rs 1 crore.

Following these allegations, BJP leaders attacked Priyank Kharge, son of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, questioning his involvement in the incident.

“Doesn’t Ambedkar’s constitution apply to the Kharge family?” asked R. Ashoka, leader of the opposition, in a statement on Sunday. He demanded that Priyank Kharge resign from his post, accusing him of moral failure in connection with the death of the performer.

BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya also slammed the Congress-led Karnataka government over the incident.

“Priyank Kharge, who has a penchant for speaking out of turn, is accused of the death of the performer,” Malviya said. “While Kharge Sr. was pontificating in Delhi, his son unleashed a murderous regime in Karnataka.”

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also called for Priyank Kharge’s removal. “This is not the first such incident – Congress in Karnataka is a model of looting and extortion,” he wrote on Twitter. “Priyank Kharge should be fired”.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders dismissed the BJP’s allegations as “politically motivated”.

Priyank Kharge, IT-BT minister in the Congress-led Karnataka government, expressed regret over the death, urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

“I have no information about the circumstances of Sachin Panchal’s suicide,” he said. “The statements of the accused mentioned in this case show one thing, but the death certificate allegedly prepared by Sachin shows another. The Railway Police has already registered a case and the investigating authorities will conduct the investigation effectively to unravel the truth.”

Kharge also rejected the BJP’s claims linking him to the case, calling them baseless and a product of the opposition’s habit of making false accusations.

Kharge also rejected the BJP’s allegations linking him to the case, saying, “Making false accusations is an old practice of the BJP. They have made baseless allegations against me in the past, they are still doing so and will continue to do so. The BJP’s attempt to weaken me with baseless allegations will not succeed,” he said.

Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre visited Panchal’s family on Sunday and announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.

Khandre, who expressed deep sadness over the death of the performer, also criticized the BJP for extracting political capital from the tragedy. “It is unfortunate that the BJP is politicizing this issue,” he noted. “Every life is precious and we are committed to an impartial investigation.”

Khandre revealed that the two police officers who were found negligent in handling the case have been suspended and further action will be taken if they are found derelict in duty.

(With inputs from Nagarjuna Dwarakanath)