Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Karnataka Legislative Council Opposition Leader, on Thursday, 27 August accused the Karnataka state government of failing to act on a spate of murder and rape cases in the Kalyana Karnataka region, demanding the removal of Home Minister Priyank Kharge from the portfolio. Narayanaswamy made the remarks while addressing the media in Lingasugur town, Raichur district.

Three Incidents in 15 Days

Narayanaswamy alleged that three serious crimes had occurred in Raichur district within the past 15 days — including the murder of a Dalit leader and two cases involving rape and murder. He specifically cited the murder of a youth in Devadurga and the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl as incidents warranting urgent government attention.

'Three murders have taken place, but he has not even visited the spot. Minister Priyank Kharge cannot handle the Home Department. He has failed in every way in managing the department,' Narayanaswamy alleged. He described the incidents as a 'black mark' on Kalyana Karnataka and questioned why Kharge — who hails from the region — had not visited the affected areas.

What the BJP Opposition Leader Demanded

Narayanaswamy called for the Chief Minister to reassign Kharge and appoint a more capable minister to the Home portfolio. 'An incapable Home Minister is not what the state needs. The Chief Minister should give the present Home Minister the responsibility of RSS affairs and appoint someone else as Home Minister,' he said.

He acknowledged that officials and police had visited the locations, registered complaints, and made arrests, but argued that the absence of ministerial visits reflected a deeper indifference. He said he would write to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary seeking action against officials who allegedly failed to discharge their responsibilities.

Drug Menace in Kalyana Karnataka

Beyond the crime cases, Narayanaswamy raised alarm over what he described as a rising circulation and consumption of ganja and drugs across the districts of Kalyana Karnataka. He claimed drug use was emerging as a contributing factor behind several violent incidents in the region. 'Young people are consuming ganja and roaming the streets. This needs to be brought under control,' he said.

He added that he had met senior district police officials and demanded strict action against those involved in the sale and distribution of drugs, calling for a capable minister to be placed in charge of the region.

Assembly Session and Administrative Accountability

Narayanaswamy said the BJP had raised the issues of murders and rape cases in Kalyana Karnataka during the Assembly session but claimed the matters did not receive adequate attention. He also criticised the government for adjourning the Assembly session before its scheduled conclusion. 'The Assembly had three more days to go. But the Congress government and the Cabinet adjourned the session and ran away,' he said.

He also took aim at district administration, particularly the role of deputy commissioners. He alleged that a deputy commissioner had informed him that some Dalit organisations had approached the administration requesting that the cases be handed over to the CID. 'Deputy commissioners are not meant to act like postmen. They should visit the spot, conduct an inspection, collect information from the police and submit a detailed report to the government along with recommendations for action,' he said.

This comes amid broader scrutiny of law and order in Kalyana Karnataka, a region that has historically lagged on development indicators and where caste-related crimes have drawn periodic political attention. With the BJP taking its protest directly to the ground — bypassing the legislature — the party appears to be building a sustained campaign ahead of future electoral cycles in the region.