Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s allegation that a local BJP corporator was involved in the murder of a Hindu activist Deepak Rao surprised many . Deepak Rao was killed near Mangaluru last week and Kumaraswamy demanded to know why the government was not bringing out the truth.

BJP, which has held “jihadi forces” responsible for the killing of Deepak Rao, who was hacked to death by a four member gang on January 3, has termed Mr Kumaraswamy’s charge as “irresponsible” and an attempt to mislead the investigation.

Mr Kumaraswamy, noted that four persons had been arrested and demanded to know whether the government still had not been able to find out “who gave them supari (contract)? .According to my information, a BJP corporator there is involved in Deepak Rao’s murder,” he alleged.

The former Chief Minister demanded to know to why the truth was not being brought out about those who were behind the murder.

Following the death of 28-year-old Deepak Rao, who was associated with Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a retaliatory attack claimed the life of 47-year old man Basheer.

Mr Kumaraswamy’s charge came on a day when BJP held a dharna in Bengaluru, condemning the ‘failure’ of the Congress government in maintaining law and order.Scores of supporters of BJP corporator, Tilak Raj, staged a protest state JD (S) president H D Kumaraswamy and burnt his effigy for allegations aired in Mysuru that their leader had given supari to kill Deepak Rao, on Monday.

Mr Kumaraswamy had alleged that a BJP corporator had provided money for the murder of Deepak Rao. This statement went viral and messages made rounds that the BJP corporator hinted at by Mr Kumaraswamy was Tilak Raj of Surathkal.

The Karnataka police however are pursuing investigation in the matter and refused a comment on the issue.