Congress Takes Legal Action Against BJP Karnataka Over Defamatory Social Media Post
A significant political confrontation has escalated in Karnataka with the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) initiating legal proceedings against the state BJP unit. The controversy centers around a social media post that Congress leaders claim contains defamatory and unsubstantiated allegations against top state ministers.
Cyber Crime Complaint Filed in Bengaluru
A team of KPCC lawyers formally lodged a complaint at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Bengaluru, accusing the official BJP Karnataka X handle of posting content that brands Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, and other ministers as "Scam Lords". The police have confirmed accepting the complaint and registering a case, with investigations underway to examine potential legal violations.
According to the detailed complaint, the BJP post featured images of the chief minister, deputy chief minister, and other ministers under the provocative caption. Congress representatives argue the content was "misleading, malicious and aimed at tarnishing reputations without substantiation". They maintain the post falsely accused Congress leaders of "looting" the state and deliberately sought to damage their public standing.
Content of the Controversial Post
The disputed post on X by BJP Karnataka stated: "This is the real story of the scam empire of the @INCKarnataka government that has been looting Karnataka day and night!! #CongressFailsKarnataka #ScamSarkara." Congress leaders have countered that such language was specifically designed to create confusion in society and present unverified allegations as established facts.
BJP Intensifies Counter-Attack Amid Legal Action
Even as the cyber crime case progresses, Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra has amplified his criticism of the Congress government. He has demanded a thorough investigation into what he describes as an alleged excise scam worth more than Rs 6,000 crore and called for the immediate resignation of Excise Minister Ramappa Timmapur.
Vijayendra told reporters: "Rs 6,000 crore scam wherein the excise minister and his family members are involved, and proof has already emerged, but CM Siddaramaiah is not willing to discuss this on the floor of the house. Investigation by the CBI or a sitting high court judge is the only answer to the entire scam. The Siddaramaiah government is trying to cover up the entire scam, creating drama. Outside the house and inside the house, we are going to demand the resignation of the excise minister."
Political Tensions Spill Into Legislative Assembly
The controversy has extended beyond social media and into the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, where proceedings turned heated. BJP MLAs accused the Siddaramaiah government of operating what they termed a "phone tapping government". This accusation followed remarks by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil suggesting the Governor was receiving calls "from Delhi".
BJP members demanded explanations about how ministers possessed information regarding calls to Raj Bhavan. In response, IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge defended Patil, clarifying that the minister only meant to suggest the Governor was acting like a "puppet in the hands of the central government". The intense exchanges ultimately forced Speaker U T Khader to adjourn the House for lunch.
Broader Political Protests and Allegations
Meanwhile, the BJP and JD(S) have staged coordinated protests near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha. These demonstrations targeted what opposition parties describe as a "corrupt" Congress government, further escalating the political standoff in the state.
The situation represents a significant escalation in Karnataka's political landscape, with legal, legislative, and public dimensions converging. As police investigate the cyber crime complaint and political rhetoric intensifies, the confrontation between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP appears poised to dominate Karnataka's political discourse in coming weeks.
