SGRC bank depositors confront Tejasvi on 'unfulfilled promises'

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Tejasvi Surya, the MP for Bengaluru South, along with his uncle and Basavangudi MLA Ravi Subramanya, abruptly left a meeting where depositors of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative (SGRC) Bank were attempting to discuss the bank's revival on Saturday, April 13.

The depositors, attending a meeting named "Sahakara Samagama," believed they would discuss the bank's recovery.

Instead, they found Tejasvi and Ravi hosting it as part of their election campaign.

Videos from the event reportedly show Ravi Subramanya dismissing a depositor's questions and pushing her hand away. Another clip captures Tejasvi Surya leaving angrily while attendees demand answers, as reported by The News Minute.

The SGRC Bank scandal affected over 20,000 depositors, with claims of misusing over Rs 1,000 crore.

After initial probes by the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Criminal Investigation Department, the CBI took over following the state government's directive and the involvement of the Enforcement Directorate.

Depositors complained that Ravi Subramanya, who arrived late, dodged questions about the bank's revival, which he had promised to clarify during his campaign last May.

Instead, they faced dismissive responses and accusations. When the meeting was declared an "election event," tensions rose, and a verbal clash erupted between depositors and the MLA's supporters, requiring police intervention.

When Tejasvi Surya arrived, his supporters had mostly ousted the depositors, including the elderly. A depositor recounted, "The MP dodged questions, spun lies, and blamed some depositors for the bank's collapse. He left claiming only his party could revive the bank."

The incident reflects poorly on Tejasvi Surya, who has been highlighting this issue in his campaign, boasting about helping 85% of depositors.

Meanwhile, the Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Tejasvi and Ravi for allegedly mistreating depositors and assaulting officials filming the event.

A complaint has also been filed with the EC against a Congress candidate and some party workers for allegedly creating a ruckus and heckling Surya, his office said.

The complaint was lodged by the organisers of the meeting of the cooperative sector representatives against Congress candidate for Bengaluru South (Sowmya Reddy).

The representatives alleged that "Individuals associated with the Congress party, without an invitation, forcefully entered the meeting and caused disruption."

Another BJP MP too faces public ire

PC Mohan, the BJP's contender from Bengaluru Central for the Lok Sabha polls, paid a visit to the Halasur Lake vicinity on Monday morning to engage with voters.

However, he had to depart abruptly after failing to address queries from a female voter about local concerns.

This incident marks the second instance of MPs facing public scrutiny in the city within the past two days, with both incidents gaining traction on social media platforms.

On Sunday, Tejasvi Surya, the MP for Bengaluru South, faced persistent questioning from investors seeking compensation for losses incurred in a Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank Limited scam.

Shortly after, on Monday morning, a resident confronted Mohan at Halasur Lake, questioning his absence during critical times in the constituency.

She highlighted his lack of public engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic and accused Mohan of leveraging unresolved issues for his campaign.