Karnataka’s BJP Minister resigns over collapse of law and order situation

Upset over the collapse of law and order situation in Bellary district, Karnataka’s Minister for Tourism B Sriramulu has resigned from the JD (S)-BJP coalition Ministry.

The immediate provocation for BJP leader Sriramulu’s resignation was the murder of Syed Mujeeb, a JD (S) leader from Bellary district late on Sunday night. Syed Mujeeb, who had unsuccessfully contested assembly elections from Bellary twice in the past, died in the hospital after he was attacked by miscreants in the Cowl Bazaar area of Bellary around 10.30 pm on Sunday.

Sriramulu, who joined the agitation launched by relatives and followers of Mujeeb in front of the police station in Bellary yesterday, held Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s political secretary Suryanarayana Reddy responsible for the murderous attack on the JD (S) leader.

Speaking to reporters, Sriramulu said he had sent his resignation to BJP’s state unit President Sadananda Gowda and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa. “The law and order machinery in Bellary has collapsed on account of the JD (S) leaders interference”, he said and accused Suryanarayana Reddy of adopting “devious” means in Bellary district to further his political career.

Sriramulu, who has decided to return his official car, said his decision to resign from the coalition cabinet is “final”. “If my resignation is not accepted, I will come to the Assembly and submit my resignation to the Speaker directly. I will even resign as an MLA if my concerns are not addressed”, he said.

Suspecting Suryanarayana Reddy’s role in the murder, Sriramulu said the Chief Minister should have ascertained his antecedents properly before appointing such a tainted person to the post of his political secretary. Sriramulu said there was a threat to the life of even BJP workers of Bellary from Suryanarayana Reddy.

Meanwhile, Sriramulu’s resignation figured in the Legislative Council in Bangalore with Opposition Congress seeking a statement from the Government on the issue. With the Government not in a position to give a proper reply to the matter, confusion gripped the proceedings, forcing the Chairman to adjourn the House.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said he has no information about Sriramulu’s resignation. Home Minister M P Prakash, who is also the Minister in charge of Bellary district, criticised Sriramulu for joining the agitation even though he was a Minister in the coalition Government.