The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the resignation of Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge and a CBI investigation into the suicide of a civil contractor from Bidar on December 26. BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra accused the Kharge family of wielding excessive influence over the police in the Kalaburagi district, alleging that an impartial investigation into the case was not possible under the current circumstances.
Vijayendra claimed that the police in the region are under the control of the Kharge family and criticized the state government for its inability to conduct a fair investigation. He called for the immediate resignation of Priyank Kharge and urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ensure the case is handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The BJP leader also threatened to stage a protest at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Kalaburagi if the state government does not act on their demands by January 3.
The contractor’s suicide note reportedly implicated Raju Kapanur, a close aide of Priyank Kharge, accusing him of issuing death threats over a ₹1 crore demand. The note also alleged a conspiracy to eliminate several individuals, including BJP leaders and a religious figure, with contract killers supposedly from Maharashtra being involved. Vijayendra demanded compensation of ₹1 crore for the contractor’s family and a government job for one of the family members, alongside protection for them.
In response, Priyank Kharge denied any involvement in the incident, stating that his name was not mentioned in the suicide note. He called for an inquiry to uncover the truth. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar rejected the BJP’s call for Kharge’s resignation, asserting confidence in the integrity of the minister and the ongoing investigation. He emphasized that the state police and officials were fully capable of handling the case.
The Karnataka government has since transferred the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation. State Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed this move, stating that the BJP’s allegations would be thoroughly examined by the CID.
