Mangaluru: Kharge’s aide Lingaraju arrested in drug case; BJP alleges political shielding, demands Priyank’s resignation

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 18, 2025: Maharashtra police have arrested Lingaraju, a close associate of Minister Priyank Kharge and MLA Allamprabhu Patil, in connection with a drug trafficking case. Lingaraju also serves as the president of the Congress unit in the Gulbarga rural constituency.

Questioning the silence and inaction of Karnataka authorities, Mangaluru North BJP MLA Dr. Bharath Shetty accused the Congress of shielding criminals. "Is nothing allowed to move in Gulbarga without Kharge’s permission? Was Lingaraju involved in the drug trade without the knowledge of state authorities? If Maharashtra police were able to arrest him, were Karnataka police being restrained deliberately?" he asked.

In a press conference held at the BJP office, Shetty alleged that the Congress government has developed a pattern of burying one scandal with another. “Minister Priyank Kharge must come forward and clarify his role in this case. If he has any integrity, he should resign,” he demanded.

He further said, “We are not even bringing up the corruption in Kharge’s department — the media has been reporting about it continuously. But if even ministers’ close aides are involved in drug trafficking, it amounts to betrayal of the people. The drug menace in Kharge’s so-called ’Republic of Gulbarga’ has gone unchecked. Remaining silent on this is criminal.”

“Why is the minister quiet when his own aide has been arrested? The people now suspect whether he himself is the kingpin behind this network — and he must address that doubt,” Shetty asserted.

He questioned whether it is even possible for anyone in Gulbarga rural constituency to operate without Kharge’s political blessings. “Two months ago, police seized drugs in the area. But why was Lingaraju not arrested then? Who prevented his arrest?” he asked.

Referring to the home minister’s earlier statement that Karnataka will not become ‘Udta Punjab’ (a state known for rampant drug abuse), Shetty said, “If such a statement was made, does that not mean the drug menace in the state is already significant? The minister must have had intelligence inputs to make such a serious comment, right?”

Shetty concluded by demanding transparency, accountability, and immediate action in the matter.