‘Kar-nataka’ turns ugly, Congress MLA hospitalised after alleged fight with colleague, party denies reports

The high-intensity political drama in Karnataka turned ugly after one of the Congress MLAs, camping at Eagleton resort in the outskirts of Bengaluru amid fears of poaching by the BJP, was hospitalised allegedly after a fight with his colleague. According to local media reports, Singh was rushed to hospital after he was hit with a bottle on his head by JN Ganesh at the resort. Several Congress leaders were seen outside the Apollo hospital where Singh was admitted.

The Congress, however, denied the reports and claimed that Anand Singh was taken to the hospital on the complaint of chest pain. Senior party leaders DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh dismissed the fight angle and said he was admitted to hospital on Sunday morning after feeling chest pain.

“I don’t know about the fight Anand Singh is admitted in hospital due to chest pain. There are no injuries or anything. His parents are here at the hospital. Other issues are just speculations,” ANI quoted DK Suresh as saying.

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The clarification from the Congress came after the BJP took a dig at the party. In a series of tweets, the Karnataka BJP shared screenshots of a local news channel claiming fight between the two Congress MLAs.

“What more proof do we need to tell all is not well within Congress… Congress MLA’s in Eagleton resort indulged in physical fight & 1 MLA is admitted. How long will Congress be in denial mode & blame BJP for all their differences? When political party is lame, it loves to blame,” the BJP said in a series of tweets.

BJP MLA R Ashok accused DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh of lying and demanded the police to take suo-motu cognisance of the matter and investigate further.

“DK Shivakumar and DK Suresh are confusing people by telling lies. Doctors of Apollo Hospital should come out and give clarification about whether Anand Singh is admitted for chest pain treatment or for something else. Police should file a suo-motu case and investigate,” Ashok was quoted as saying by ANI.

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The Congress had shifted its 76 MLAs to Bengaluru’s Eagleton resort in a bid to foil any poaching bid by the Bharatiya Janata Party after four lawmakers skipped the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting. The Congress has been accusing the BJP of trying to topple its coalition government with the JD-S. The BJP, however, denied the claims and leveled the same allegations against the ruling Congress-JDS alliance.