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A delegation of Congress ministers and MLAs belonging to Vokkaliga community on Monday met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and requested for strict action against BJP MLA N Munirathna, who has been arrested on various charges, including using casteist slurs on a former corporator.

The delegation led by Ministers N Cheluvarayaswamy and MC Sudhakar, met Siddaramaiah at his residence.

Munirathna, a former minister, was arrested on Saturday evening after two cases were registered against him, and he is currently in police custody.

"The situation is such that not only our Vokkaliga community, but the entire as such should boycott him (Munirathna). Our government has already taken action against him by arresting him in accordance with law and he was produced before the court," Cheluvarayaswamy said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, "when a common man commits such a mistake, action is taken, but when a public representative does it -- we have urged the CM that much stricter action should be taken, by gathering further information."

Munirathna, who represents Rajarajeshwari Nagar Assembly segment in Bengaluru, was picked up from Nangli village in Kolar's Mulbagal on Saturday evening on charges of harassing a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractor for bribe, casteist slurs on a former corporator, also cheating, criminal intimidation and insulting a woman's modesty.

Also noting that the delegation has demanded that an investigation should be done by agencies like Lokayukta or Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the case, the minister said, the chief minister has said that it will be looked into.

Cheluvarayaswamy also hit out at BJP leaders for alleging the arrest was made without notice and vendetta politics. "They should be ashamed....the BJP should take disciplinary action against him," he said. PTI