Karnataka minister beaten with slipper by BJP activist

Mtoday news / PTI

was today beaten with a slipper by his own party worker in full public gaze in the well-guarded state secretariat, apparently for helping the latter become the head of a state-owned Board or Corporation.

 

The assailant, B S Prasad, a small-time civil contractor accosted Housing Minister V Somanna as he emerged out of his room in Vidhana Soudha and hit him with his slipper, police said.

"What have I done to you? Why did you beat me with a slipper?," a stunned Somanna asked Prasad, who entered the secretariat after procuring an entry pass on a recommendation letter by the BJP office, saying he wanted to visit the Chief Minister’s office.

Angered over the attack, Somanna’s supporters rained blows on Prasad, as police personnel took Prasad into custody and whisked him away.
 
Bangalore City Police Commissioner Jyoti Prakash Mirji asserted "there is no security lapse". He said the accused had gained entry with a valid visitor’s pass from the security wing and attacked the minister with his slipper.

Mirji, who met Somanna, said police would investigate the attack.

"I have met him only twice so far. This seemed to be his second visit to my office. Earlier he had sought a letter of recommendation, which I obliged. But I do not know the reason for the attack", Somanna told reporters later.

Somanna said he did not see any reason for the attack, even as Prasad was heard saying "I can’t disclose it".

The minister wanted police to tighten security in Vidhana Soudha.

Home Minister R Ashoka summoned Mirji and other senior police officials and discussed the incident with them.

Speaking to reporters later, Ashoka condemned the attack and said surveillance cameras fitted in Vidhana Soudha had captured the entire incident and that a probe was on.

Ashoka said Prasad hails from Thyamagondalu in Bangalore rural district and reportedly belongs to the Lingayat community, from which Somanna also hails.

"It is true Prasad secured a letter from BJP office to get a security pass for his entry into the Vidhana Soudha and did not have any weapons on him", he said.

Prasad told police he had campaigned for Somanna in the Govindarajanagar assembly constituency in the city in last year’s by-poll.

Police have booked Prasad under various sections of the IPC including 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person), 504 (intentional assault to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Prasad told police in his statement that he wanted to be appointed to one of the Boards or Corporations by the BJP government and had sought Somanna’s help.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who is in Delhi at the BJP National Executive spoke to Somanna.