Political issues on Bengaluru riots are not stopping, Congress on Saturday decided to hit back at the government for issuing notices to three more Congress leaders in the area. This has triggered a war of words between Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and KPCC President DK Shivakumar, with the latter alleging that the police were blackmailing Corporators to get forced confessions. Meanwhile, the total number of arrests in Devarajeevanahalli (DJ Halli) and Kadugondana Halli (KG Halli) have gone up to 290 and the police expect total arrests to cross 500 in next two or three days.
Home minister Amit Shah salutes tricolor on Independence day
After the arrest of Corporator Irshaad Begum's husband Khaleem Pasha, based on his WhatsApp call and message details, the police arrested 60 people, including three more Congress Corporators who were in touch with him. On Saturday, Home Minister Bommai was quoted saying that the three Corporators will have to appear for inquiry before police. Irked by the statement, Shivakumar alleged that the BJP had instigated the violence and now are blackmailing Congress Corporators to get forced confessions to pin the blame of violence on the internal bickering within the Congress.
BJP President Veerraju demands withdrawal of this case
"Who is Basavaraj Bommai to say notice has been issued? Is he a sub-inspector? We know that they are blackmailing the Congress Corporators and getting confessions to cater to their needs. The entire riots were masterminded by BJP and Sangh Parivar. Now, they are painting it as internal bickering of Congress," Shivakumar said. Reacting sharply to it, Bommai said that the police has issued notices to three Corporators. "They have to come and testify. If they are innocent, there is no need for anyone to be afraid," he said.