The Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj rejected Opposition allegations over contractor’s suicide, and questioned BJP’s silence on their own leaders’ misconduct.
Published Jan 02, 2025 | 1:48 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 02, 2025 | 1:48 PM
Priyank Kharge at the press conference (Screengrab)
Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday, 2 January, lashed out at the state unit of the BJP for what he described as a “hit-and-run campaign” aimed at tarnishing his image, deliberately misrepresenting facts, and targeting him for political gain.
Speaking at a press conference, Kharge questioned BJP leaders’ credibility on issues of governance and accountability.
“For the past four to five days, BJP members have been making significant efforts to appease their high command, seeking my resignation and attempting to besmirch [Congress President] Mallikarjuna Kharge’s name,” Kharge said.
Bidar District Minister Eshwar Khandre held talks with contractor Sachin Panchal’s family at Bhalki recently. (supplied)
“I had advised BJP members earlier to do their homework properly – whether it is BY Vijayendra, CT Ravi, Chaluvadi Narayanaswamy or others. If they did so, it would be easier for us to question them, respond logically to their claims, and expose their inconsistencies.”
Following contractor Sachin Panchal’s death by suicide on 26 December calls from opposition leaders for Kharge’s resignation from the Cabinet have been mounting. They allege that one of Kharge’s close associates – Raju Kapanur – was named in the suicide note Panchal left.
However, these claims have been rejected by the Congress leadership, including Home Minister G Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Kharge turned the spotlight on BJP leaders, accusing them of ignoring serious charges within their own ranks, including those against former Minister KS Eshwarappa and Raja Rajeshwari Nagar MLA Munirathna.
Citing a charge sheet against Munirathna under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Kharge labelled the MLA as anti-Dalit and anti-women. 
“I pose a question to Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Vijayendra, and their associates: A charge sheet has been filed against Raja Rajeshwari Nagar MLA Munirathna. If you talk so much about accountability, why don’t you have the courage to demand his resignation? What are you afraid of?” he asked.
Similarly, he referenced the 2022 suicide case of contractor Santosh Patil, where BJP leader KS Eshwarappa was explicitly named in the suicide note. “It is clearly written in Kannada. Are they pretending not to understand it? What help has the BJP government provided to Santosh Patil’s family?”
“Have they offered compensation or employment? Despite the family naming the Prime Minister and Yediyurappa, how many times has Vijayendra visited them? Has he visited at all?” Kharge asked.
On 1 January, the X handle of BJP Karnataka shared an edited clip of a speech by Kharge in Chittapur, purportedly showing him making “death threats” against BJP members. Kharge criticised the BJP for circulating the clip on social media, accusing the party of taking his words out of context to mislead the public.
“In that speech, I stated clearly that if I resolved to do so, I could ensure BJP members wouldn’t be able to walk freely anywhere. However, they have only shown a partial excerpt of the speech,” he said.
Kharge Jr., a minister only because of his father, issued a death threat to BJP leaders and has now executed it. He thinks he owns Karnataka, forgetting he’s a public servant. This growing dictatorship under @siddaramaiah‘s leadership will soon end. #Scamgress #DictatorCongress… pic.twitter.com/2xJm63n88k
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) January 1, 2025
Kharge revealed he had taken legal action against BJP leaders for their allegations against him, including claims that he had amassed ₹750 crore in assets.
“Yesterday, people like CT Ravi, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and P Rajeev continued their campaign of lies – what I call Sullina Shuraru (masters of lies). Someone recently asked me why I haven’t filed defamation cases against them. Let me make it clear: I have. I filed a case against Rajeev on 24 January 2024, but I am yet to receive a response. These people only know how to conduct hit-and-run attacks,” he said.
Further, Kharge defended the Congress government’s handling of Panchal’s case, highlighting its transfer to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
“From the outset, our government has prioritised justice for contractor Sachin Panchal’s family. We took the case seriously, transferring it to the CID. The investigation is ongoing, and we remain committed to ensuring justice for the family,” he said.
Meanwhile, he remained firm on his decision regarding calls for his resignation, stating that decisions about his position rested solely with the chief minister and the Cabinet, not the BJP. He urged the Opposition to focus on substantive policy discussions instead of “chanting Congress leaders’ names.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
