A day after Janata Dal (United) leader H Nagappa's funeral, Kollegal block is tense and police are on high alert fearing a backlash from his supporters. Intelligence reports indicate that they may target Congress workers.
Even Chamarajanagar town is tense, but the situation is under control.
Nagappa's supporters hold Minister for Agro-processing Raju Gowda responsible for Nagappa's abduction by Veerappan.
Some believe that Raju Gowda paid Veerappan to carry out the abduction. Their assumption is based on Raju Gowda's efforts to revive granite quarrying in the area, which was banned after it was discovered that Veerappan acquired explosives meant for quarrying work.
Nagappa was among those who opposed the revival of quarrying.
Another section believes that Raju Gowda used his position as a minister to scuttle efforts to secure Nagappa's early release.
Raju Gowda and Nagappa have been bitter political rivals competing for the Hanur assembly constituency and the latter's dislike for Veerappan is believed to stem from the general perception in the area that Gowda is close to the bandit.
Nagappa's death is likely to further fuel this hostility.
That Nagappa and Gowda belong to the rival Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, respectively only makes the situation even more dangerous.
The two communities wield considerable influence in state politics and, at this point of time, the Lingayats believe that Chief Minister S M Krishna, who belongs to the Vokkaliga community, did not do enough to secure Nagappa's release.
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