Some members of the District Central Cooperative Bank Union staged a protest in Belagavi on Monday, against the assault on union leader Ningaraj Karennavar by MLA Laxman Savadi, his son Chidanand Savadi and some of their supporters. Some followers of Mr.
Savadi also staged a protest in Athani on Monday, in support of Mr. Savadi saying that the charge against him is false.
The protesting bank employees said that they asked half of the employees to keep working to minimise inconvenience to the public. They submitted a memorandum to bank chairman Anna Saheb Jolle, seeking action against the accused.
They also sought action against some bank employees who stood in support of Mr. Savadi. Vice-president of the union Anand Patil, who submitted a memorandum to the chairman, said that there are eyewitnesses to the assault on Mr.
Karennavar in Mr. Savadi’s house. “The MLA’s son has falsely claimed that Mr.
Karennavar suffered a head injury during an accidental fall near the house. This is false. The police need to conduct a serious investigation in the case,” he said.
Mr. Patil said that the claims of bank employees Mayappa Hadagali and Gaibu Saab about Mr.
Savadi’s innocence are false. He sought action against them. Mr.
Savadi is upset with Mr. Karennavar as he believes that it was he who got his relative Shankar Nandishwar transferred from the Athani DCC Bank branch.
Employees are not responsible for anyone’s transfer, Mr. Patil said. Mr.
Jolle, who addressed the protestors, said that the bank will act against employees who have made negative comments about the bank. He clarified that the bank board effected the transfers and the employees or union leaders are not responsible for them. “We decided that all employees are eligible for transfer after three years of service at one place.
We found that some employees served for over five years and transferred them. However, transfers have been kept on hold till the end of the financial year,” he said. Protestors in Athani, on the other hand, said that the charge against Mr.
Savadi is politically motivated and that Mr. Savadi, his son and supporters are innocent. They submitted a memorandum to the police, demanding withdrawal of the case filed against the Savadis.
Meanwhile, Chidanand Savadi said that they are not upset over the transfer of Mr. Nandishwar as it is common for employees to get transferred.
“Some vested interests are trying to create ill will against the Savadi family but they will not succeed. The people of Athani are with us,” he said.
Laxman Savadi did not participate in the protest. However, he addressed his supporters through a mobile phone call that was amplified with a speaker.
He got emotional while speaking and began sobbing. He thanked the supporters and said that truth shall prevail and that their innocence will be proved.
BJP seeks action Meanwhile, BJP leaders sought strict action against Mr. Savadi and his son. The hooliganism of Congress MLAs is increasing day by day.
The DCC Bank Union leader has suffered a brutal attack by Mr. Savadi, his son and his supporters. It is not acceptable.
The State government should stick to the law and arrest the accused. It should not be lenient towards the MLA, district party president Subhash Patil told reporters.
The former MLA Sanjay Patil said that the Congress government is misusing power and utilising the police as its agents. The former MLA and BJP leader Mahesh Kumthalli condemned the attack on Mr. Karennavar.
“However, nothing is new. Mr. Savadi and his supporters have been terrorising Athani for decades and have turned it into Bihar,” he said.
“Mr. Savadi has been engaging in politics of hatred in Athani since the beginning. Appropriate action should be taken against those who have taken the law into their own hands,” he said.