The release of an 80-minute audio recording on Wednesday morning had repercussions on the streets of Hassan, with JD(S) workers protesting outside BJP MLA Preetham Gowda’s residence at Vidya Nagar here. The situation soon turned violent in which one man was injured.’
In the audio clip, a man, purportedly Mr. Preetham Gowda, is heard commenting on the health of JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, and doubting survival of the party. Mr. Preetham Gowda has claimed that the voice is not his.
Hassan Extension police have registered an FIR against eight people, including Hassan Zilla Panchayat member H.P. Swaroop and the former CMC president H.S. Anil Kumar, based on a complaint filed by Rahul Kini, who suffered an injury.
Soon after the audio recording was released, angry JD(S) cadre gathered outside Mr. Preetam Gowda’s house and a BJP worker suffered injury when an alleged JD(S) worker flung a stone at the house, sparking counter protests by the BJP even in the Legislative Assembly.