Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 7: Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah, is understood to have got ensnared in another tricky situation after the Supreme Court (SC) ordered to hand over suicide case of deputy superintendent of police, M K Ganapati, to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). George, who is considered to be very close to the chief minister, had resigned as home minister after Ganapati's death note named him as one of the tormentors and the case was referred to criminal investigation department. Later, he was given Bengaluru city development ministry after CID cleared his name.

It is said that the Congress leadership has decided to wait till filing of first information report by CBI before deciding whether George needs to resign. BJP has been demanding resignation from the minister. The issue was discussed by the CM and president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee with state Congress in-charge, Venugopal, during his visit for paying last respects to Gauri Lankesh.There is an opinion that George can be retained in the cabinet based on clean chit issued by CID but Venugopal is said to have given the signal that he should be ready to leave if political situation in the state become surcharged on this issue.

Siddaramaiah

It is said that the Congress think tank is also mulling the desirability of using the minister's 'minority' card in this case. The chief minister is said to have opined that before following any plan, it would be wise to wait till the CBI files FIR. BJP however, has given the signal that it will intensify action against George from September 8 onward. BJP argues that George had resigned when a subordinate court ordered registration of FIR against him. As Supreme Court has found that investigation was not conducted properly by CID, it feels, George is obliged to leave the ministry.