Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah gets threat calls

A day after the egg attack on his car, former CM and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah received threat calls Friday night, forcing the government to step up his security while ordering a probe.

The alleged threat calls to the Congress leader came after his demands to remove Hindu Mahasabha leader Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s flex from Muslim dominated areas in the state.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said he spoke to Siddaramaiah after he claimed he was receiving threat calls after the Kodagu egg incident on Thursday. “I’ve assured him that he would get additional security for his safety,” Bommai said. Kodagu police officers said that nine BJP workers were arrested and released on overnight bail.

 “In this matter, nobody should take the law into their hands. It is happening from both sides. Nobody should make provocative statements. I have issued strict instructions to all superintendents of police, besides asking them to provide additional security for Siddaramaiah,” said the CM.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra also said that the government will step up security for Siddaramaiah and added that those involved in the incident will face the music. “The Kodagu incident was unfortunate. Police have made arrests and the law will take its course,” he added.

The minister said every person has the right to protest in a democracy, but protests must be held in a peaceful manner and no one should take the law into their own hands. “If they do so, we will not tolerate it,” he said. At the same time, Jnanendra urged Siddaramaiah to exercise control over his public statements. “His statements must be civil and not hurt another person’s sentiments or aggravate the situation,” he said.

As reports of the threat calls poured in, the Congress held protest meetings in several places.

The attacks on Siddaramaiah have bolstered his image in the Congress, taking him one step forward to stake his claim to the chief ministerial face of the party in the Assembly elections eight months ahead.