The suicide of 26-year-old contractor Sachin Panchal in Karnataka's Bidar district has triggered a fierce political battle between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP, bringing serious allegations and accusations to the forefront. Panchal tragically ended his life by jumping in front of a train on Thursday, leaving behind a seven-page death note that included damning accusations against Raju Kapanur, a known rowdy-sheeter and close associate of Congress Minister Priyank Kharge. In the note, Panchal alleged that Kapanur had extorted him for money, demanding a sum of Rs 1 crore in connection with a tender-related dispute, and had cheated him out of Rs 15 lakh. Furthermore, Panchal claimed that Kapanur had issued death threats to him when he failed to comply with the demands.
This grave situation has become a flashpoint, with both the BJP and Congress using the incident to press their political agendas. The BJP immediately seized the opportunity to accuse Priyank Kharge of being involved, questioning the minister’s relationship with Kapanur and whether he was aware of the alleged extortion and threats. The BJP has argued that this case exemplifies the larger culture of corruption and lawlessness they claim exists within the Congress-led Karnataka government.
In response, the BJP's Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, called for Priyank Kharge’s resignation, questioning the moral failure of the minister and the ruling government. "Does Ambedkar’s Constitution not apply to the Kharge family?" Ashoka asked in a statement, accusing Kharge of shielding corrupt practices within his circle. Ashoka's comments have stirred further controversy, as the BJP has maintained that the contractor’s tragic end could have been avoided had the government taken swift action against Kapanur.
The BJP’s attack was further fueled by statements from the party’s IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, who accused Priyank Kharge of mishandling the situation and allowing a "murderous regime" to flourish in Karnataka. "While Kharge Senior pontificates in Delhi, his son has unleashed a murderous regime in Karnataka," Malviya said, suggesting that the father-son duo was complicit in the growing lawlessness.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla joined the chorus, amplifying the demands for Kharge’s sacking. He took to social media, calling the incident another example of Karnataka Congress's alleged model of "loot and extortion." "Priyank Kharge should be sacked," Poonawalla tweeted, further exacerbating the political tension. The BJP's campaign against Kharge and the Congress government in Karnataka gained further momentum as more leaders joined the call for accountability and transparency in the investigation.
However, Congress leaders have strongly rebuffed the BJP’s claims, dismissing them as politically motivated and baseless. Priyank Kharge, the IT-BT Minister in Karnataka, expressed his sorrow over the contractor’s death and called for a thorough investigation by the authorities. "I have no information about the background of Sachin Panchal's suicide case," Kharge said in his statement, urging that the investigation should proceed without interference from political forces. He emphasized that the death note, while troubling, was just one perspective and that it was important to allow the investigative agencies to uncover the full truth.
Priyank Kharge has consistently denied any involvement in the case, calling the BJP’s accusations unfounded. He pointed out that the opposition party has a long history of making false and politically motivated allegations against him. "Making false accusations is an old habit of the BJP. They have made baseless accusations against me in the past, they are still doing so, and they will continue to do so," Kharge stated. He further asserted that the BJP’s attempts to undermine him through such tactics would not succeed, as he remained confident in the investigative process.
In response to the political fallout, Congress leaders, including Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre, have strongly criticized the BJP for politicizing the matter. Khandre, who visited Panchal’s family on Sunday, expressed his condolences and announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the bereaved family. He condemned the BJP for using Panchal’s tragic death as a tool for political gain, emphasizing that the investigation should remain impartial. "Unfortunately, the BJP is politicizing this matter," Khandre remarked, underlining that the Congress was committed to uncovering the truth.
Khandre also provided an update on the actions taken by the government following the incident. He revealed that two police officers involved in the initial investigation had been suspended for their negligence in handling the case. Khandre assured the public that if further negligence or dereliction of duty was found, the government would take strict action against those responsible. This move was seen as an attempt to demonstrate the Congress party's commitment to accountability, even amid the growing political tensions.
The state government’s response to the incident has been to ensure that a fair and impartial investigation is conducted, with full cooperation from law enforcement agencies. The Karnataka government has urged that the investigation be carried out with transparency, distancing itself from the political accusations being thrown by the opposition. At the same time, the Congress has also used the tragedy to highlight what they see as the BJP's penchant for exploiting sensitive issues for political gain, rather than focusing on finding real solutions.
As the investigation continues, the case has added fuel to the already heated political atmosphere in Karnataka, with both parties continuing to use the contractor’s tragic death as a political battleground. The BJP remains steadfast in its demand for Priyank Kharge’s resignation, while Congress defends its position, urging for an impartial investigation that is free from political influence. In the coming days, this issue is likely to remain a central talking point in the state’s political discourse, with the tragic death of Sachin Panchal continuing to be at the heart of a larger debate about corruption, governance, and accountability.
