Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (MS)

Belagavi, Mar 28: The tussle between former BJP minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar intensified on Sunday March 28 with supporters of Jarkiholi protesting against Shivakumar near the airport and pelting stones on his escort vehicle.

D K Shivakumar is in the city to campaign for the upcoming bye-election.

Police resorted to lathi charge as the protesters tried to gherao the vehicles in the entourage of D K Shivakumar. They waved black flags and threw slippers and stones at the convoy, as per media reports. Some of the protestors were taken into custody by the police. A tense situation prevailed near the airport.

Speaking to the media before arriving in Belagavi, Shivakumar said, "Police are suspecting the inquiry of SIT in the CD case in order to save their face."

Reacting to the protest in Belagavi, Shivakumar said, "For what good are these people are protesting? I am visiting the district in order to campaign for Lok Sabha bye-elections. I do not want any security."

With regard to the sleaze CD case, Shivakumar said, "He (Ramesh Jarkiholi) is giving countless statements himself and through other people, whom he brings to the city from other parts of the state. Let the police preserve their honour. Let the government do whatever it wants. I will not file any defamatory case. They are trying to close down the case without inquiry. Parents of the victim girl have filed a complaint. Let them file. The victim girl has answered her parents through video. When investigation takes place, truth will prevail."

Congressman Sathish Jarkiholi, brother of Ramesh Jarkiholi is going to file nomination for the Belagavi Lok Sabha bye-election on Monday, March 29. That is why KPCC president D K Shivakumar arrived in Belagavi.