Madikeri: BJP leader shot dead by GP member 

Madikeri: A local BJP leader was shot dead by a gram panchayat member at Maragodu village in the taluk on Monday, October 1.

Maragodu BJP local committee secretary Kanadka Thilak Raj, 40, is the deceased. The accused has been identified as Mundodi Nanda Nanaiah.

Reportedly, Thilak Raj and Nanda Nanaiah had gotten into a verbal spat on Monday evening at Maragodu junction here following which an irked Nanda Nanaiah fired at Thilak Raj and fled the spot. 

Though Thilak Raj was rushed to the hospital he succumbed to the wound on the way. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Political rivalry is said to be the motive behind the murder.

DySP Sundar Raj, rural police officer Chethan and other police officers visited the spot and registered a case.

Condoling the death of a loyal party worker, MLA K.G. Bopaiah raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. He asked the police department to initiate action against the absconding accused