No possibility of history sheeter 'Silent' Sunil joining BJP: Karnataka party chief

The state BJP leadership distanced itself from the history sheeter 'Silent' Sunil following outrage over some of the party leaders were seen sharing stage with him.

BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel in a bid to control the damage said that there was no possibility of Sunil joining the BJP, according to The News Minute.

BJP leaders including Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha national president Tejasvi Surya reportedly shared stage with Sunil at a blood donation camp on Sunday.

'Silent' Sunil, hailing from Kerala, has been charged for murder and abduction in many police stations in Bengaluru, according to the report.

He was also declared absconding by the Central Crime Branch police in Bengaluru.

The Subramanyapura Police Station was the first to list him as a history sheeter followed by the High Grounds Police Station in central Bengaluru.

Alongside facing charges of a murder in in 2017 in Yelhanka, Sunil has been booked for theft, extortion, kidnapping and faces Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act, 2000 (KCOCA).

As the controversy snowballed, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai hit back at the Opposition, asking Congress leaders to count the number of history sheeters in their party.

BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel stated that he had sought clarification from his party leaders why they shared stage with Sunil.

While claiming to have warned his party officials against repeating it, he said people with "extremist and criminal backgrounds" have no place in the BJP.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, responding to the Congress's charge of not taking action against Sunil, said that there was no pending warrant against Sunil.

He added that he is not needed for inquiry in connection with any case, hence he was not detained at the venue after the event.