Bangalore: Ending days of speculation, Hungund MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar on Saturday night appeared before the media and claimed that he was not absconding, but was in Tirupati for a visit.
“There is no question of me absconding. I was in Tirupati and returned to Bangalore on Saturday,” he claimed.
The MLA alleged that former chief minister Cand some other unseen hands used media to tarnish his image. “It was a minor incident, but they succeeded in projecting it as the biggest issue” he charged.
Terming the incident politically motivated, he said: “The Cubbon Park constables behaved with me in an objectionable manner.
They clicked pictures despite pleading with them not to do so. In fact, I contacted the police inspector and told him to take action against those two.
The complaint was lodged at 8 am on Wednesday. The delay shows that unseen hands acted against me. I did not anticipate that it would turn into a major issue.”
He said that he attended the session on July 2 and received the news around 10.45 am that there was a complaint against him. He would discuss the matter with the Speaker if need be, he added.
Kashappanavar said he would fully cooperate with the investigating officer. “I know Somegowda as he was our party worker. I did not know that he is a rowdy-sheeter. He was also present onthe premises. I was not drunk and I am a teetotaller.”
Police clueless
The CCB police said they were clueless about the MLA’s whereabouts. “He is said to be in Bangalore. We are searching for him. He is likely to surrender before the police on Sunday,” said a police officer.
Meanwhile, Home Minister K J George said the police have not served any notice on Kashappanavar directing him to appear before the investigating team. The police would take action as per the law and there was no question of government protecting him.
The CCB team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravi Kumar continued to search for the MLA in neighbouring states.
(DHNS)
