Parliament security breach: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah questions BJP MP Prathap Simha's connection with accused
Who is BJP MP Parthap Simha? Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has raised concerns regarding the potential connection between Kodagu-Mysore MP Prathap Simha and the individuals involved in the recent Lok Sabha security breach. The accused individuals, who breached security by entering the Lok Sabha with yellow smoke canisters, allegedly had visitor passes signed by MP Prathap Simha. Siddaramaiah emphasised that such negligence is punishable.
Expressing distress over the breach, Siddaramaiah stated, "Despite robust security measures, this incident is shocking and highlights a security lapse. It's the Union Government's responsibility, especially the Home Minister's, to conduct a thorough investigation and disclose details to the public."
He criticised Simha's alleged involvement in issuing passes to the accused, questioning their familiarity. Siddaramaiah highlighted that any form of negligence, even unintentional, is subject to legal consequences. The chief minister further said, “How did these youths manage to enter the Parliament with smoke canisters? Were any insiders involved in this act? Could there be any involvement of external forces behind the youths' actions? When the security of the nation's Parliament is not ensured, questions about the security of the nation's borders naturally arise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi bears the responsibility of answering all these questions.”
Moreover, Siddaramaiah underscored that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is answerable for the breach, particularly on the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament attack by terrorists. He demanded clarification on how the individuals accessed the Parliament with smoke canisters, pondering the potential involvement of internal or external forces. As of now, Prathap Simha has not responded to the allegations, while both accused individuals have been detained by the Delhi police.
Prathap Simha represents the Mysuru constituency in Karnataka as a Member of Parliament.
As per police reports, one of the individuals involved in the Lok Sabha breach hails from Mysuru and is an engineer named Manoranjan D.
According to available information, Prathap Simha secured victory in the Mysuru constituency with 43.46% of the votes in 2014 and subsequently augmented his vote share to 52.27% in the 2019 elections.
The 42-year-old, a former journalist, gained recognition through a series of columns and notably authored a biography of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2007.
Coming from an agrarian background, MP Prathap Simha has previously expressed his admiration for PM Modi.
Prathap Simha, a BJP MP, has been linked to the recent Lok Sabha security breach where two individuals leaped into the chamber. The MP knew one of the accused, Manoranjan D, from his constituency, Mysuru. Manoranjan frequently visited Simha's office, often accompanied by Sagar Sharma, introduced as a friend. Passes were acquired under the guise of observing parliamentary sessions.
Sources disclosed that three passes were arranged for Wednesday, yet one visitor, a woman with her unnamed child, had to leave due to the child's absence from the pass details, per PTI.
Manoranjan had persistently sought these passes from Simha for over three months, pressing for access to witness parliamentary proceedings. Simha's office defended him, citing that MPs usually address such requests from their constituency residents.
In the actual breach, the accused intruders, entering via the public gallery, discharged yellow-colored smoke from canisters, causing commotion among the MPs.
Simultaneously, outside the Parliament, a man and a woman—identified as Neelam from Haryana's Hisar, and Amol Shinde from Maharashtra's Latur—were detained for protesting, carrying containers emitting yellowish and red smoke.
Also Read: Four individuals involved in dual security breach at Parliament identified
- With inputs from agencies
