‘BJP targets me because I’m against their ideology’: Minister Priyank Kharge

BENGALURU: IT-BT Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge on Tuesday denied allegations levelled by the BJP in connection with the suicide of a contractor in the state and said that the BJP is targeting him because he is against their ideology.

He said that the BJP has failed to prove any link of the suicide with the government. “BJP can do all it wants, but they are still not able to tell the people of Karnataka how this suicide is linked to either the government or to me. They are here to establish their leadership. BJP is now a faction-ridden party in Karnataka. There is a tussle for leadership going on. Each one is trying to ensure one-upmanship shows within their leadership. Have they been able to give one document, one single paper, one shred of evidence against what is happening? They are just trying to politicise a death as usual”, he said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: On Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra’s statement that Bidar contractor’s case should be handed over to CBI and Karnataka Minister Priyanka Kharge should resign, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says, “BJP can do all it can, but they are still not able to… pic.twitter.com/vPuH1XAh3P

— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2024

“BJP people target me because I am against their ideology. I am against RSS and Manusmriti, and I am vocal about it because we follow the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Constitution, which they are allergic to. So, quite naturally, they will try to make a mountain out of a molehill. If the BJP really is interested in getting justice for any of the victims, first, Vijayendra should start by resigning for his father’s POCSO case,” he added.

The development came after BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra’s remarks that the Bidar contractor’s alleged suicide case should be handed over to the CBI and Priyanka Kharge should resign. Vijayendra has attacked the Congress, alleging that Sachin Panchal, a contractor from Bidar, died by suicide due to harassment and threats from Priyank Kharge’s close aide Raju Kapanur. He claimed that Sachin left behind a detailed letter highlighting his ordeal.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar rejected BJP’s demand for the resignation of state minister Priyank Kharge and said party leaders “know his integrity”. “We know the integrity of Priyank Kharge; the investigation is going on. No question of anyone resigning. Priyank Kharge is our Dalit leader. It is not possible (to hand over the case to CBI). We know how CBI works. Our police and officials are capable of doing the investigation”, Shivakumar said. (ANI)