BENGALURU, 19 AUG

Workers of ruling Congress and BJP took to the streets in Karnataka on Monday over Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot giving sanction for an investigation against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with alleged irregularities in land allotment by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

Congress leaders and workers staged dharnas, foot marches and rallies in district headquarters, holding placards denouncing the action and raising slogans against the Governor. BJP leaders staged a protest in Bengaluru seeking the Chief Minister's resignation.

Demonstrations were held in Bengaluru, Udupi, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Tumakuru and Mysuru.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the State Congress Chief, led the protests at Freedom Park here with ministers of the Siddaramaiah Cabinet in attendance in what appeared to be a show of strength. “The Governor is making a case out of nothing. This is a murder of democracy and we will protest it," Shivakumar had said on Sunday.

Shivakumar criticised the Governor for not taking any action against Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy, whom he referred to as the "Fake Swami of Navarangi (nine colours of fake drama)” The Congress government will be in power for the next 10 years, and we will not budge or bend.”

Shivakumar asked why the Lokayukta has not been granted permission to investigate BJP leaders like Shashikala Annasaheb Jolle, Murugesh Nirani and Janardhana Reddy.”

The BJP, led by its State Chief BY Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, held a dharna near Mahatma Gandhi's statue on the premises of Vidhana Soudha, which houses the Legislature and Secretariat, demanding the Chief Minister's resignation.

BJP leaders said Siddaramaiah has no moral right to continue as Chief Minister and he should quit to pave the way for a transparent and unbiased investigation. Former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda was among those who took part in the dharna.

In Mysuru, district in-charge minister HC Mahadevappa led a rally of Congress activists in support of Siddaramaiah. The workers held a dharna at Gandhi Square and marched to DC Office in Siddhartha Nagar, around 3km away leading to a traffic block in the city. Mahadevappa accused the BJP-led NDA government of destabilising non-BJP-ruled governments by misusing Governors’ office.

Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh led the protests in Chamarajnagar, while Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy led the agitation in Mandya. They submitted memorandums to President through Deputy Commissioners.

A bandh called by Congress received mixed response in T Narasipura, Varuna Assembly segment.  Schools and educational institutions were closed while traders voluntarily closed down their business establishments and buses, and auto-rickshaws remained off the road. –PTI, Salar News