JOIN USLeader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar on Friday demanded the sacking of AICC general secretary K C Venugopal from holding charge of the party's affairs in Karnataka, following his alleged involvement in the Kerala's solar scam.
The Justice G Sivarajan Committee report tabled in the Kerala Assembly has named Venugopal with graphic details of his involvement in the sensational solar scam, and how he allegedly sexually abused the main accused.
"The report makes it amply clear that Venugopal was involved," Shettar told reporters. "How can the Congress run its affairs under someone who is an accused in a sex scandal? How can the Congress continue to have him as its in-charge? Venugopal has to assume moral responsibility and withdraw from the party's affairs," he said.
Venugopal, who represents Alappuzha in the Lok Sabha, was handed charge of the Karnataka Congress in May. Of late, Venugopal has been touring different parts of the state as part of the 'Mane Manege Congress' poll outreach.
When asked why the BJP was gunning for his sacking while his continuation could work in its advantage, Shettar said: "It's a different matter that his continuation as Congress in-charge of Karnataka will be politically advantageous for us. But it is our duty as the opposition party to point out his involvement in the scam."
Shettar also went for Bengaluru City Development Minister KJ George's jugular, warning the ruling Congress that the BJP would "fight for his sacking" in the upcoming winter session of the legislature. Last month, George was named in a first information report by the CBI, which is probing the death of police officer M K Ganapathy. "It's better if George is sacked before the winter session because we don't intend to stop our campaign against him," Shettar said.