Shivamogga: Senior Congress leaders, including opposition leader Siddaramaiah, KPCC president DK Shivakumar and former Speaker Ramesh Kumar, descended on Shivamogga Saturday March 13 to take part in the ‘Janakrosha Pratibhatane’ to protest against cases registered against Congress workers in Bhadravati over a clash during a kabaddi tournament recently.
The leaders criticised the police department, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and district in-charge minister K S Eshwarappa for their alleged shoddy handling of the incident and arresting Bhadravati MLA B K Sangameshwar’s son and others.
Shivakumar said, “A case was filed against our leader Sonia Gandhi at one of the police stations in Shivamogga. I spoke to the CM, but minister Eshwarappa said he will not allow a B-report (closure) till he is in office.”
On the CD-gate, he said he will speak at an appropriate time. They are trying to fix me in the case, he added. When he was arrested for ED case, it was the Shivamogga citizens who protested and for that reason, he said that he holds a special place for them in his heart. He expressed confidence that Congress will come to power toppling BJPs misadministration. Even people of the state are demanding change, he stated.
Regarding a case against MLA Sangameshwar under section 307 by the police, Shivakumar urged the police to do their duty and not become any political partys’ mole. He also questioned what happened to the counter complaint given by MLAs men against Basavaraj’s arrest.
Addressing the protesters, MLA BK Sangameshwar said that the cases of murder and caste berating has been registered against his family only to finish his political career. “These cases against me are nothing but misuse of power by the BJP and also their hate politics. BJP government is responsible for death of democracy,” he said and announced that he will start working to strengthen Congress party and will not remain a mere leader of Bhadravati.
Siddaramaiah asked why no BJP worker was arrested when a counter-complaint was filed by the MLA’s supporters. He further said that the Congress will protest against the government and police if they try to foist false complaints and implicate Congress workers or elected representatives. “It is a democracy and the police have to maintain law and order.
It is the government paying them salary and not the CM or Eshwarappa,” he said. Siddaramaiah cautioned the police department, saying the Congress will come to power in the state soon. “Then we will take stringent action … be careful,” he warned. Hitting out at the Centre for not taking steps to reduce fuel prices, he asked, “Where are Achche din.”
If the police atrocities continue, Siddaramiah warned of severe protest outside the police stations.
Yediyurappa who came to power due to support of farmers has betrayed them without waving farmer loans. Congress leader Ugrappa had also demanded to wave farmer loans at the time, urged Siddaramiah.
