Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jul 7: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar, condemned the macabre murder of Uday Ganiga by the leaders of his own party, the BJP, at Yadamoge, to settle political scores.

After visiting the house of the late Hosabalu Uday Ganiga, Yadamoge in the taluk on Tuesday July 6 evening, Shivakumar consoled the grieving family members of Ganiga. He then spoke to media persons.

Shivakumar termed murders happening on the basis of party, caste, religion etc as unfortunate. "The BJP leaders used to rush to meet the families whenever murders took place in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district in the past. But in this case, when their own party worker is murdered, the BJP leaders have owned discreet silence. Their silence gives rise to suspicion. Ganiga's wife, mother and family members are praying for justice with tears welling their eyes. They also have been expressing strong suspicion about influential leaders having a hand in the murder. As there have been occasions in the past in which such murder cases were entrusted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, the government should immediately order CBI probe in this case too," he demanded.

Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, expressed suspicion about the inquiry being conducted judicially as the BJP district general secretary is an accused in the case, and the state home minister is the district in-charge minister for Udupi. He said these things have the potential of subverting the investigation, and demanded to order for CBI inquiry immediately and to disburse a compensation of Rs 25 lac to the family of Uday Ganiga.

Uday Ganiga's mother and wife who sobbed and shed copious tears in the presence of the Congress leaders, pleaded with them to see that justice is done to Uday. They also claimed that they are being subjected to pressure, and lures were being offered, to make them step back from pursuing the case. The locals pointed out that MPs Shobha Karandlaje and B Y Raghavendra have not visited the family after Uday's murder. They wanted to know whether these leaders have no sympathy for Ganiga's family.

On this occasion, Shivakumar handed over a cheque amounting to Rs 1.25 lac to the bereaved family on behalf of his party.

Former legislator K Gopal Poojary, district Congress president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Congress leaders Mithun Kumar Rai, Kishan Hegde Kolkebail, S Raju Poojary, Gowri Devadiga and others were present.