BJP leaders in Shivamogga gathered in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday, May 6, to protest alleged police targeting of BJP workers in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.
BJP candidate B.Y. Raghavendra led the protest, accusing the police of taking action against BJP workers based on false charges. He specifically mentioned the case of Vinod Raj, a BJP worker in Sagara taluk, who he claimed had been issued an externment order by the Assistant Commissioner of the Sagar sub-division without any valid reason.
According to Raghavendra, the police had arrested Raj based on the statement of Sanjay, an accused in a Matka gambling case. He alleged that Sanjay was forced and harassed into naming Raj, who was then taken to Bidar. Raghavendra asserted that the police actions were politically motivated.
T.D. Megharaj, the BJP district president, submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Gurudatta Hegade outlining the party’s concerns. The memorandum raised allegations of false charges being brought against BJP workers and demanded an impartial investigation into the matter.
The BJP’s protest reflects the heightened tensions surrounding the upcoming elections in Shivamogga. The party is seeking to retain its dominance in the region and has accused the police of working against its interests. The allegations of police targeting have added to the political dynamics in the lead-up to the polls.