The reported suicide of Sachin Panchal, a contractor from Bhalki taluk in Bidar district, has ignited political controversies in Karnataka. The Opposition is directing accusations at IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge, linking him to the incident.
On Sunday, BJP leaders criticized Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, questioning the application of constitutional values to his family. R. Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition, claimed that Priyank Kharge, who is both a minister and the son of Mallikarjun Kharge, bore responsibility for Panchal’s death. “Does Ambedkar’s Constitution not extend to the Kharge family? Priyank Kharge, who advocates morality, should resign and take responsibility,” Ashoka stated.
In response to these allegations, Kharge took to X (formerly known as Twitter), declaring, “It’s outrageous that the BJP, known for spreading falsehoods, pretends to conduct a fact-finding mission. The BJP only knows how to investigate lies!”
An FIR has been lodged against former councillor Rajkumar Kapnoor, a close ally of Priyank Kharge, along with five others. This action follows the discovery of a suicide note allegedly written by Panchal, which accused Kapnoor and others of plotting to kill Siddalinga Swami of Andola Math, alongside BJP leaders Manikanth Rathod and Chandu Patil.
Sachin Panchal reportedly took his own life on Thursday by lying down in front of an oncoming train.
(With contributions from PTI)
