Bengaluru: Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok on Monday accused the Congress government of targeting BJP leaders through “false cases” and challenged it to arrest BJP leader C.T. Ravi, asserting that the ruling party was attempting to intimidate the Opposition ahead of the elections.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Ashok alleged that the Congress government was settling political scores by registering fabricated cases against BJP leaders as the state headed towards the polls.
Defending Ravi, Ashok said the BJP leader had not made any derogatory remarks against any religion and questioned the rationale behind the case registered against him. “If the government has the courage, let the police touch C.T. Ravi,” he said.
Ashok also announced that the BJP would soon organise a show of strength in Chikkamagaluru in support of Ravi.
Alleging selective action by the state government, Ashok claimed that while no action had been taken against those accused of raising “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans inside the Vidhana Soudha, cases were being registered against BJP leaders on what he described as false grounds.
Commenting on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks on political retirement, Ashok termed the statement “laughable”. He said the Chief Minister had on several occasions in the past claimed he would not contest elections but later returned to the electoral arena. “Politics in Karnataka will continue irrespective of whether Siddaramaiah contests or not,” Ashok said.
