Hassan/ Shivamogga: JD(S) leaders and workers staged protests in Hassan and Shivamogga on Wednesday, demanding a CBI or judicial investigation into the sting operation controversy and accusing Karnataka govt of targeting opposition leaders.
He alleged that the district minister had obstructed Hassan city’s development by withholding an action plan worth Rs 185 crore. Arakalgud MLA A Manju said more than 200 taluks had been declared drought-hit but relief remained delayed. In Hassan, former minister HD Revanna led party MLAs, leaders and thousands of workers in a procession from Hemavathi statue. Protesters raised slogans against govt and formed a human chain at NR Circle, demanding that the case be handed over to CBI. They alleged that Karnataka police would not uncover the truth. Former minister HK Kumaraswamy alleged that farmers had not received drought relief despite four months having passed since DK Shivakumar became chief minister. He also criticised govt for failing to fill backlog vacancies reserved for Dalits. Hassan MLA HP Swaroop Prakash accused govt of neglecting administrative work and development in the district. He alleged that development funding had been affected by the failure to hold local body elections. MLC Suraj Revanna, former MLA KS Lingesh and district JD(S) president Nataraj participated in the protest. In Shivamogga, JD(S) MLA Sharada Puryanaik condemned the alleged use of sting operations for political gain and sought an investigation by CBI or a sitting judge to identify those behind the controversy.