Sat Apr 05 18:45:48 UTC 2025: ## Kodagu Congress MLAs Accuse BJP of Politicizing Suicide
**Madikeri, Karnataka, April 6, 2025** – Congress MLAs A.S. Ponnanna and Manthar Gowda have strongly condemned the BJP for what they call a blatant politicization of the suicide of BJP worker Vinay Somaiah. Addressing a press conference in Madikeri today, the MLAs criticized the BJP’s protest in Kushalnagar demanding the inclusion of their names in the FIR related to Somaiah’s death.
The MLAs highlighted the BJP’s alleged insensitivity, stating that protesters failed to attend Somaiah’s funeral after their demonstration. Ponnanna, also the legal advisor to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claimed that only Somaiah’s family and friends attended the last rites. He described the BJP’s actions as “vultures playing politics over a dead body” and further blamed the party for Somaiah’s suicide.
Gowda expressed shared grief over Somaiah’s death but questioned the sincerity of the BJP protesters, asking how many attended the funeral. He denied any involvement in the incident and expressed his hope that the investigation will reveal the truth. Both MLAs attributed the BJP’s actions to jealousy over their developmental work in Kodagu. The incident underscores rising political tensions in the region.
First Piper 