Cong workers attempt to lay siege to BSY’s house; face resistances from BJP leaders

Bengaluru, Sept 21: An attempt by the Congress workers to lay siege to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s residence here, in protest against his efforts to destabilise the coalition government led to a clash with the workers of Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday.

BJP claimed JD(S) flags were also seen, but the crowd comprised Congress workers. Former youth Congress leader S Manohar had led the agitation. The police had to intervene and 11 people were arrested.

According to BJP leaders, the scuffle ensued almost immediately after chief minister H D Kumaraswamy warned Yeddyurappa that the former will ask people to revolt if the latter “continues to make efforts to destabilise the government”.

While Congress workers’ efforts to enter Yeddyurappa’s home were thwarted by BJP legislators including M P Renukacharya, N Ravikumar and others, the BJP charged the coalition government with sponsoring the scuffle.

“It was a government sponsored attack on our state president’s home as it happened minutes after the CM spoke in Hassan district,” said BJP MLA R Ashoka. “The incident is a murder of democracy as no chief minister in the history of Karnatakahas ever asked people to riot against his political rivals.”

The opposition party alleged the incident suggested a crisis in law and order of the state, and sought the immediate intervention of governor Vajubhai Vala in the matter. Yeddyurappa is scheduled to meet the governor on Friday.

The BJP also urged the state police to suo motu file a case against “people’’ who instigated the Congress workers. “Under section 123 and 124A of the Indian Penal code any person who tries to instigate hatred by word should be imprisoned,” said Ashoka and deputy leader of opposition Govind Karjol. “It is no less than sedition when the CM is asking people to riot against a leader of a national party.”