BJP ticket scam: Arrested Hindutva leader says many prominent figures involved

Bengaluru: The arrested Hindutva activist, Chaitra Kundapura, has hinted at the involvement of prominent figures in the BJP ticket scam that has shaken Karnataka, following accusations by a businessman who claimed that Chaitra had defrauded him of Rs 5 crore by promising a BJP ticket in the state Assembly elections.

Speaking to the media as she was taken for interrogation at the City Central Crime Branch (CCB) building, Kundapura claimed, "Let the Swamiji get arrested, and the truth will come out. Many big personalities are involved in the case."

The controversy erupted when Kundapura was apprehended on Tuesday night in Udupi for allegedly deceiving industrialist Govinda Babu Poojari out of Rs 5 crore, promising him a BJP ticket to contest the Assembly polls. Six individuals who were allegedly associated with Kundapura have also been arrested in connection with the case.

Abhinava Halasri Swamiji of Hirehadagali Mutt, another accused in the scandal, remains absconding since Kundapura's arrest. She made her remarks on Thursday in reference to the Swamiji, who had purportedly received Rs 1.5 crore from the complainant.

According to the police, Kundapura had assured Govinda Babu Poojari that she had influential connections within the RSS and could secure him a BJP ticket from the Baindur constituency in Dakshina Kannada district.

The complainant also alleged that he was taken to a mutt where the Swamiji demanded money. The funds were handed over to the Jayanagar branch in Bengaluru. The Swamiji had allegedly claimed close ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and assured Babu that if he failed to secure a ticket, the money would be refunded.

However, when Babu did not receive the promised ticket, he requested Kundapura to return his money, which she allegedly refused, resorting to threats of exposing his income source to central investigating agencies.

Chaitra Kundapura is known among right-wing activists and followers of Hindutva and has faced multiple FIRs related to delivering hate speeches. Govinda Babu Poojari, on the other hand, has identified himself as a social worker and leader of the influential Billava community in the coastal Karnataka region.

The allegations made by Kundapura have thrown the spotlight on the BJP and RSS leadership, with many questioning their involvement in the ticket scam. Notably, the BJP had fielded 72 new faces in the Assembly elections held in May, a move that ended in a humiliating defeat for the party.