Bangalore, Jan 14 (DHNS): Tense moments prevailed at BGS Global Hospitals premises at Kengeri when former prime minister. H D Deve Gowda and his bete noire Ashok Kheny of NICE came face to face on Sunday.
The two had come to the hospital to pay their last respects to Adichunchanagiri seer Balagangadharanath Swami, who passed away on Sunday.
According to sources, some leaders from the Vokkaliga community suggested that the last rites of the seer be held on Tuesday, giving ample time for the devotees to pay their last respects. However, Gowda said it was better to do it on Monday, the Makara Sankranthi festival day. JD(S) workers alleged that Kheny criticised Gowda for playing politics even in the seer’s death. This enraged Gowda’s supporters.
Eyewitnesses at the hospital told Deccan Herald that some JD(S) workers chased Kheny from the second floor of the hospital. When Kheny tried to escape, the JD(S) workers assaulted him. Police officials, who were present at the spot quickly swung into action and whisked the NICE managing director away. The JD(S) workers raised slogans against Kheny and thrashed him till he was escorted by the police. The police also resorted to light caning to disperse the crowd.
Earlier in the day, as the news of the seer’s ill health spread, his followers thronged the BGS Global Hospitals, where he was admitted for treatment.
The police cordoned off the hospital premises, causing inconveniences to the relatives of other patients.