BENGALURU, 20 JAN

IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday accused Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot of pressurising State government in the case against Congress MLC BK Hariprasad over his remarks on a Godhra-like incident in Karnataka.

Hariprasad lashed out at Congress after Central Crime Branch on Friday sought clarification from the MLC over his comments. “The Governor is repeatedly asking about the case. Just because we respect him, our Home Department officials met Hariprasad. It is limited only to that and we did not send the police. You have to understand who is behind this,” Kharge said.

Kharge accused the Governor of acting on behalf of the Centre. “Why the Governor is interested in this case? Is there any direction for him from the Centre? Is he trying to create embarrassment to the government or Hariprasad? What is the relation between him and the law and order? Such an incident never happened in the previous government,” the minister questioned.

Kharge accused the BJP-led Union government of operating through Governors in the states they are not in power. “We will act within the prescribed laws,” the minister said.

Hariprasad on Saturday said there was swift action in the case and more information should be obtained as to who is behind all this. “BJP had written to the Governor seeking a probe and the latter might have sought a report. There was swift action on the case. If all cases going to the Governor are probed at the same speed, I am happy. The police have also violated the protocol by not taking permission from the Legislative Council chairman (before approaching me),” Hariprasad said.