Bengaluru: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday warned the Karnataka government that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) would launch protests outside police stations across the state if the alleged harassment of their workers and registration of false cases in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were not stopped.
Kumaraswamy issued the warning after the NDA delegation in Karnataka submitted a complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer, alleging unnecessary interference and misuse of official machinery by the state government in the SIR process.
Speaking to the media alongside NDA leaders in Bengaluru, he strongly criticised the Congress government and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the manner in which police action was allegedly being taken against BJP and JD(S) workers.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the government was using the police department for political purposes and questioned the registration of cases against opposition workers.
“This is an unprecedented and shameful display by a Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. When false cases are being registered against BJP and JD(S) workers, and the police machinery is being used in this manner, what else can it be called?” he asked.
The Union Minister said the NDA delegation had urged the Chief Electoral Officer to immediately stop what it termed illegal arrests and seek clarity from the Election Commission of India on the issue.
He also maintained that the submission of Form-7 applications was not, by itself, illegal and referred to a court clarification on the matter.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the state government was creating a political controversy around the SIR exercise to divert public attention from issues including the NICE project, the Bidadi Township project and the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) scam.
He said the government and senior police officials must immediately ensure that BJP and JD(S) workers were not subjected to what he described as police harassment or politically motivated action.
“If the government does not issue proper directions to the authorities and this harassment continues, we will not remain silent. From 10 a.m. tomorrow, we will begin a protest outside police stations across the state,” he warned.
Kumaraswamy called upon the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director General of Police (DGP) and Commissioners to instruct officers under their jurisdiction to act strictly in accordance with the law.
“False complaints against BJP and JD(S) workers must stop. The police department should not be misused in this manner. If the state government continues with such unlawful action, we cannot simply sit back. We will launch a movement outside police stations against it,” he said.
He further warned that senior police officers would be held responsible for ensuring that their subordinates acted within the law.
“The IGP, DGP and Commissioners must give clear instructions to the officers under them to act lawfully. Otherwise, there will be consequences,” he said.
(IANS)
