The Karnataka DGP, who had a run-in with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been transferred. Sources claim that the transfer happened because the DGP, Neelamani Raju, who also happens to be the state's first woman DGP, 'insulted' Banerjee by making her walk a kilometre to Vidan Sauda during the swearing in of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
Neelamani Raju was the first woman Director General of Police in the state. An official of the state home ministry told DNA that transfers are a regular occurrence in the police department and denied any political reason for her move.
Neelamani, a 1983 IPS officer from Uttarakhand was named as the first woman to lead the police force in Karnataka in 2017. “I think it is a great responsibility and honour to be selected for this post,” she said. “Karnataka is a well managed state and has a good police organisation," she had said.
Earlier, a video of the West Bengal CM having a heated discussion with the cop was shared by news agency ANI.
Mamata was forced to walk a short distance to reach the Vidhana Soudha (state assembly) for the swearing-in, as a number of vehicles blocked the route to the venue.
Due to this, Mamata lodged a complaint with the Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP), Neelamani Raju.
Earlier, sources suggested that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was not entirely happy with the traffic arrangements made for the big day.
In a video captured of her entering the venue of the swearing-in, a perturbed Mamata was seen gesturing her dismay to the Karnataka DGP and later was seen explaining her situation to former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar, who were also present at the venue.
While proceeding towards the seating area, Mamata was seen once again in conversation with other leaders present there, in a disturbed manner, but went on to greet the dignitaries at the dais and the audience at the venue, after apparently being pacified by Deve Gowda and other leaders.
Kumaraswamy was sworn-in as the 24th chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the JD(S)-Congress alliance in the state.
In the same ceremony, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President G Parameshwara took oath as the state's Deputy Chief Minister.
