BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra visited Kushalnagar and paid his last respects to BJP worker Vinay Somaiah, whose body was kept at the Kushalnagar Government Hospital. Vijayendra demanded that an FIR be immediately registered against Kodagu MLAs A.S. Ponnanna and Dr. Mantar Gowda, alleging that they were indirectly responsible for Somaiah’s suicide in Bengaluru.
Vijayendra said Somaiah had named several people, including the two MLAs, in a death note written before his suicide. He alleged that the police had failed to take adequate action despite a complaint from the family, claiming that government influence was preventing the police from acting.
According to Vijayendra, Somaiah had come under pressure from the two MLAs over social media posts highlighting alleged shortcomings in constituency development works. He claimed that the MLAs had pressured the police to arrest the administrators of social media groups that circulated the posts.
Vijayendra further alleged that police stations in Kodagu were functioning like Congress offices, claiming that opposition party workers were being denied their rights and subjected to harassment through the police. He said a written complaint had already been submitted to the Chief Minister and Home Minister.
Demanding that an FIR be registered against the two MLAs, Vijayendra declared that Somaiah’s body would not be cremated until the case was registered. He warned that the police department would be held responsible for any further escalation if it failed to act.
Referring to previous incidents in the state, Vijayendra cautioned the police against acting under political pressure, saying such conduct could lead to serious problems in the future. He urged the department to uphold the law rather than function at the government’s direction and assured BJP workers that they need not be afraid. He also warned that the party would continue its agitation and lay siege to the police station if an FIR was not registered in accordance with the complaint.
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Kodagu-Mysuru MP Yaduveera Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who participated in the protest, also demanded immediate legal action against the two MLAs, alleging that they were responsible for the BJP worker’s death.
Former MP Pratap Simha criticised the incident and accused the two Kodagu MLAs of misusing the police to intimidate BJP workers. He alleged that the MLAs were creating conflicts between communities in the district and using police action to suppress opposition workers.
Former MLA K.G. Bopaiah warned that failure to take legal action would lead to unrest and lawlessness.
MLC Suja Kushalappa, Mysuru MLAs Sri Vatsa and Ravikumar, Hassan MLA Pritam Gowda, Mysuru Mayor Shivaraj, and other BJP leaders and party workers from Kodagu, Mysuru and Periyapatna participated in the protest.
Among those present were district BJP leaders Bharatish, Robin Devaiah, Napanda Ravi Kalappa, Mahesh Jaini, Nallira Challan, V.K. Lokesh, Anita Poovaiah, Shweta Yamuna Sangappa, Sarita Suvin Ganapathy, Gautam Manukumar Rai, S.G. Medappa, Herur Chandrashekhar, M.M. Charan and Anudeep Mokshit.
BJP leaders detained
The Kodagu district police deployed a large force at the Kushalnagar Government Hospital, where Somaiah’s body was kept, anticipating protests led by the BJP state president.
Vijayendra gave the authorities an hour to register the FIR. During this period, heated exchanges took place between the police and BJP workers, who insisted that the names of Chief Minister’s Legal Adviser A.S. Ponnanna and MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda be included in the FIR in connection with Somaiah’s suicide in Bengaluru.
The protesters later attempted to march towards the Deputy Superintendent of Police’s office. However, the police stopped them at Raitha Sahakara Bhavana. Vijayendra and 71 BJP workers were arrested when they attempted to enter the DySP’s office in Kushalnagar.
Following the protest, Somaiah’s body was taken under tight police security to his native village in Somwarpet taluk.
Last rites held at Somwarpet
The final rites of Vinay Somaiah were performed in accordance with the customs of the Arebhashe Gowda community. Several BJP leaders, including MP Yaduveera Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, paid their last respects and offered prayers for the departed soul. Somaiah’s brother, Vivek, performed the final rituals.
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