In recent developments, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya faced a tumultuous encounter at an event in the city, amidst the backdrop of the Guru Raghavendra Bank scam. The incident unfolded during a scheduled “meet and greet” gathering at Surya’s election office, where he was confronted by victims of the scam. The attendees, mainly depositors who had suffered losses in the multi-crore cooperative bank scam, expressed their grievances, leading to a chaotic scene. Video footage circulated widely on social media capturing the commotion as Surya attempted to depart amidst the uproar.
In response to the confrontation, Surya’s office lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, accusing Congress candidate Soumya Reddy and her party members of orchestrating the disruption. The complaint emphasized the intrusion of uninvited individuals associated with the Congress party, alleging them of creating ruckus and heckling the BJP MP. Furthermore, calls for FIRs against Reddy and her associates were made, urging for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the Congress party seized the opportunity to criticize Surya, highlighting his purported disregard for the concerns of the scam victims. Through social media platforms, the Congress lambasted Surya, portraying him as evasive and out of touch with the electorate’s grievances. The party’s post underscored the need for accountability and condemned Surya’s conduct during the event.
Adding to the saga, Tejasvi Surya’s office issued a counterstatement, alleging that Congress-affiliated individuals instigated the disturbance. According to the office’s clarification, the disruption was orchestrated by a few “hooligans” sent by the Congress to disrupt the proceedings. They claimed that one of the individuals inciting chaos was not even a depositor but a Congress worker aiming to disrupt the event.
The backdrop to this confrontation lies in the ongoing fallout from the Guru Raghavendra Bank scam, which surfaced in 2020, revealing misappropriation amounting to Rs 2,500 crore by the bank management. With over 15,000 depositors still awaiting full compensation, the scam has remained a contentious issue, prompting calls for accountability and justice.
As the political drama unfolds, the electorate watches closely, seeking transparency and accountability from their representatives in the face of adversity.
