There seems to be no end to the political drama in the state of Karnataka, as reportedly two Congress MLAs have fought each other violently over the issue of their support to the Congress-JDS coalition government in the state, reported News18.
A heated argument between two Congress MLAs from Bellary- Anand Singh and JN Ganesh turned violent and Anand Singh was injured after JN Ganesh hit him with a bottle. The incident happened during an intense argument over joining hands with Congress-JDS coalition. The Congress MLAs are staying at the Eagleton resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru amidst the rumours of few Congress MLAs deciding to quit the party to support the BJP to form the government.
Reportedly, there was a heated exchange initially at Vidhan Soudha between Hospet MLA Anand Singh and Kampli MLA JN Ganesh on the issue of mining. Soon, both the Congress MLAs were shifted to the Eagleton resort along with other Congress legislators to avoid any risks of possible poaching by the BJP. However, a fight between Ganesh and Singh broke out when the former accused the latter of leaking information to the Congress party. Reportedly, Ganesh is rebelling against the Congress party and also in talks with the BJP.
Ganesh accused Anand Singh of not only leaking information to the Congress but also misleading him to join the Congress party. He reportedly said that Congress did not offer him any ministerial post while he could have been a minister if he had joined the BJP and held Anand Singh responsible for that. After this, a physical fight broke out amidst an intense quarrel, which led to Ganesh allegedly hitting Anand Singh with a bottle leaving the latter injured.
According to the reports, Anand Singh has now been admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru for further treatment. Most of the senior Congress leaders including Deputy CM Parameshwar met Anand Singh in the hospital but refuted any claims of fighting between the two Congress leaders.
Congress leader DK Shivakumar rejected the reports of a fight between Karnataka Congress MLAs Anand Singh and JN Ganesh said, “There is no fight. You saw all of them coming together, going together. It’s fake news. Entire Congress party is united.I’m confident that even those who couldn’t attend CLP will come to Congress.”
Deputy CM Parameshwar and Congress leader DK Suresh however, visited the hospital to check the health condition of Anand Singh and claimed that the Hospet MLA was admitted to the hospital as he was unwell and dismissed that there was any fight at the resort.
“I don’t know about the fight Anand Singh is admitted in hospital due to chest pain. There are no injuries or anything. His parents are here at the hospital. Other issues are just speculations,” said DK Suresh, Congress MP and brother of DK Shivakumar.
Meanwhile, BJP has grabbed the opportunity to attack the Congress government for instability within the party and the Karnataka government. “What more proof do we need to tell all is not well within Congress…Congress MLA’s in Eagleton resort indulged in physical fight & 1 MLA is admitted. How long will Congress be in denial mode & blame BJP for all their differences? When political party is lame, it loves to blame,” said the Karnataka BJP.
What more proof do we need to tell all is not well within Congress..
Congress MLA’s in Eagleton resort indulged in physical fight & 1 MLA is admitted. How long will congress be in denial mode & blame BJP for all their differences?
When political party is lame, it loves to blame pic.twitter.com/4IWSr5xUWi
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) January 20, 2019
Former Deputy CM and BJP leader R Ashok speaking to the media said, “DK Shivakumar & DK Suresh are confusing people by telling lies. Doctors of Apollo Hospital should come out & give clarification about whether Anand Singh is admitted for chest pain treatment or for something else. Police should file a suo-motu case & investigate.”
On Friday, the Congress moved 76 of its 80 lawmakers to the resort amid fears of poaching by the BJP. Four of the Congress MLAs did not make it to the Eagleton Resorts and also failed to attend the Congress legislature party meet on Friday. All the four MLAs have been sent a showcause notice by the Congress party. Recently, two independent MLAs, H Nagesh and R Shankar had withdrawn their support from the Karnataka government.
