New Delhi/Bengaluru, April 17, 2026 — Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar on Friday alleged that Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni has become a victim of a BJP conspiracy as he grew politically influential in North Karnataka.
Shivakumar made the remarks while speaking to reporters in New Delhi, shortly after a special court in Bengaluru sentenced Kulkarni and 15 others to life imprisonment in the 2016 murder case of BJP Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda (also referred to as Yogesh Goudar). The court convicted them of criminal conspiracy, murder, and related offences.
# Background of the Case
Yogesh Gowda, a 26-year-old BJP worker and Dharwad Zilla Panchayat member from Hebballi constituency, was hacked to death at a gymnasium in Sapthapura, Dharwad, on June 15, 2016. At the time of the incident, Vinay Kulkarni — then Mines and Geology Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government and MLA from Dharwad Rural — was among the accused. The CBI investigated the case and filed a chargesheet alleging criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and misuse of official machinery.
The special court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru delivered the verdict on April 15-16, holding Kulkarni and others guilty under relevant sections of the IPC, including Section 120B for conspiracy. Sentencing was pronounced on April 17. Kulkarni is likely to face disqualification as an MLA following the conviction. He had earlier been arrested by the CBI in 2020 and granted conditional bail by the Supreme Court in 2021.
Motives cited in reports included political rivalry and a possible land dispute, though Gowda’s family had pointed to longstanding political enmity. Kulkarni has maintained his innocence, claiming he has been in politics for over 26 years without harming anyone.
# Shivakumar’s Statement
Shivakumar expressed faith in the judiciary but asserted that Kulkarni’s rise in North Karnataka politics made him a target. “Kulkarni became a victim of BJP conspiracy as he grew politically in North Karnataka,” he said, adding that the Congress leader has several legal options to pursue, including appeals.
The Deputy CM’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions in Karnataka between Congress and BJP, with Congress leaders frequently accusing the opposition and central agencies of using investigations as tools for political vendetta.
# Political Implications
The conviction could have significant repercussions for Karnataka politics:
- It may trigger a by-election in the Dharwad Rural constituency if Kulkarni is disqualified.
- The case has already been cited in broader debates over law and order and the use of central agencies against opposition leaders in the state.
- Congress has rallied behind Kulkarni, with party leaders describing the developments as politically motivated, while BJP has highlighted the court’s findings as justice for a slain worker.
As of now, Kulkarni is expected to explore higher court appeals. The episode underscores the deeply polarized political landscape in North Karnataka, where local rivalries often intersect with larger state and national narratives.
Congress sources indicated that the party would continue to support Kulkarni legally while focusing on its organizational strength ahead of upcoming polls, including the Davangere South bypoll. Shivakumar also addressed other party matters in Delhi, denying any selective targeting within Congress ranks.
This development adds another layer to the ongoing Congress-BJP slugfest in Karnataka, where both sides have accused each other of misusing investigative agencies and the judiciary for political gains. Further legal proceedings in the case are anticipated.
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