Bagalkot
Hundreds of Congress workers and supporters of Excise Minister RB Thimmapur took out a rally in the city and protested against those accusing the Minister of involved in corruption.
The protesters said the charges of corruption against Thimmapur by the Karnataka Wine Merchants’ Association President Guruswamy and Secretary Govindraj Hegde were baseless and politically motivated. They demanded action against both Guruswamy and Govindraj and said the licence issued to the duo to do liquor business should be withdrawn.
Stating that the BJP was behind these false allegations by the Wine Merchants’ Association to tarnish the image of Thimmapur, who is emerging as a strong Dalit leader.
The procession which started from Municipality Circle passed via various junctions before reaching the deputy commissioner’s office. The functionaries who addressed the protesters said Thimmapur was being targeted by BJP due to his popularity and the Dalit community will teach a lesson to the saffron party if it does not stop false campaign against Dalits.
The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.
The Karnataka Wine Merchants’ Association has charged that the excise officials were harassing the wine merchants and threatened to close the wine shops across the state from November 20. Efforts by senior officers of the excise department and other departments with the Association’s office bearers have not succeeded in convincing the Associaiton to call off its decision to stop the sale of liquor.
