Stabbing victim not a BJP member, says Karna CM

As the BJP staged a protest here against the killing of a 28-year-old man, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today refuted the opposition party's claim that the victim was its member.
Police have arrested four suspects after Santosh was stabbed to death near here on Wednesday night.
The chief minister condemned the killing and said the Central Crime Branch has been asked to investigate and bring the culprits to justice.
He, however, questioned the BJP's claim that Santosh was its member.
"They (BJP) are making all those who are dead BJP members. He (Santosh) was not a BJP member," Siddaramaiah said.

"We will get the case investigated seriously and punish the guilty," he added.

The statement from Siddaramaiah comes on a day when the BJP staged a protest led by former deputy chief minister R Ashoka in the city against the killing.
State BJP chief and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa today visited the residence of Santosh and handed over a compensation of Rs one lakh to the family.
The Karnataka BJP has termed the incident as a continuation to the series of killings of "Hindu activists" in the state in recent months especially in Dakshina Kannada district, triggering a political slugfest between the party and the ruling Congress.