BJP attacks Congress as Siddaramaiah rejects demands for George's resignation

BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao alleged that George, who has been named as an accused by the CBI in the death of a police official, is a Siddaramaiah's conduit to the top Congress brass.

"So he is helpless in acting against him. Siddaramaiah should tell people what is his compulsion in continuing with a tainted minister facing grave charges and if his hands have been forced by the Congress leadership as George is a major fund-raiser," Rao said.

Siddaramaiah's defence of his minister is a sign of utter shamelessness, and his claim of political vendetta exhibits a lack of sensitivity for the family of Deputy Superintendent of Police M K Ganapathy, who died under mysterious circumstances last year, he said.

Rao pointed that it was the Supreme Court which had ordered a CBI probe in the case and said that it reflected the court's lack of faith in the state police's report, which had given the minister a clean chit.

"His continuation in the office would not only prevent a free and fair probe but is also in complete violation of basic political ethics," he said, adding that Ganapathy "had named George as a threat to his life barely one hour before his death".

Siddaramaiah has rejected BJP's demand for resignation of George, saying the case was "totally politically motivated".