The incident of K. Mari Gowda, former Mysuru Zilla Panchayat president and aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, allegedly obstructing Mysuru Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha from discharging her duties echoed in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. It resulted in furious exchange of words between Mr. Siddaramaiah and Janata Dal (Secular) member G.T. Deve Gowda.
Mr. Deve Gowda alleged that followers of Mr. Mari Gowda stopped Ms. Shikha’s car and started questioning her crassly over an administrative issue. She registered a complaint with the police. Accusing the government of not protecting its own IAS officer, Mr. Deve Gowda wondered about the plight of ordinary citizens. He accused Mr. Siddaramaiah of protecting the interests of his followers who were threatening the officials.
Refuting the allegation, a visibly upset Mr. Siddaramaiah asserted that the Congress government had given protection needed for the officers with integrity, and accused the previous BJP government of having failed on this front.
