Mangaluru: A major political controversy has erupted following the arrest of Lingaraju, a close confidant of Minister Priyanka Kharge and MLA Allama Prabhu Patil, by Maharashtra Police in connection with an alleged drug trafficking racket. Lingaraju also holds the position of Congress president for Gulbarga Rural.
BJP MLA Bharat Shetty from Mangaluru North questioned whether the Karnataka Police were under political pressure to remain inactive. “Why did it take Maharashtra Police to act? Was the state Home Minister unaware, despite his bold claims about not letting Karnataka become another Udta Punjab?” he asked during a press meet at the BJP office.
Shetty alleged that political patronage shielded Lingaraju for months. “Two months ago, drugs were confiscated in Gulbarga, yet no arrest was made. Was it because of Lingaraju’s influence and Kharge’s backing?” he queried.
He accused the Congress government of repeatedly suppressing sensitive cases by diverting public attention. “If even those connected to ministers are part of this network, it’s a serious betrayal of public trust,” Shetty said. He demanded that Minister Priyanka Kharge publicly explain her connection to Lingaraju or step down.
He also mocked Congress leader Ramanath Rai’s suggestion that MLAs should take to the streets over sand and red stone issues. “Even in our tenure, MLAs worked on such matters. Congress leaders were with us then. Now, they fail to act or renew leases,” Shetty remarked.