BJP Must Thank Cong for SIT Probe: Min

Chaluvarayaswamy targets R Ashoka for failing to order probe into Sowjanya murder case

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Mysuru

Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy said the BJP must be grateful to the Congress government for ordering a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the Sowjanya case, which upheld the sanctity of Dharmasthala.

Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, Chaluvarayaswamy said miscreants had tried to malign Dharmasthala's reputation over the years. "But the SIT inquiry has revealed the truth, and Dharmasthala has emerged clean. The BJP should thank the Congress government for initiating the probe," he said.

He also targeted former Home Minister R Ashoka, accusing him of failing to order a proper inquiry when the BJP was in power.

"Despite being in a position to act, he lacked the will and commitment," he alleged.

Chaluvarayaswamy criticised the BJP now, for creating confusion among people by demanding action against those involved in alleged propaganda against Dharmasthala. He defended Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, calling him a committed Congress leader and one of the best Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee presidents.