Bengaluru, Aug 21 (IANS) Protesting against the alleged tribal welfare corporation irregularities and demanding the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra, Karnataka BJP MLAs and MLCs wearing black T-shirts were stopped by security personnel at the entrance of the Vidhana Soudha on Friday, following which they forced their way into the legislature.
The BJP legislators had earlier staged a protest near the Maharshi Valmiki statue at the Legislators’ House.
The protest was led by BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
The BJP MLAs and MLCs wore black T-shirts carrying messages such as “This community should get justice” and “Corrupt Minister B. Nagendra should resign.”
Following the protest, the BJP legislators took out a march towards Vidhana Soudha. However, as they reached the entrance, marshals, police personnel and security officers stopped them and denied them entry, citing the rule that legislators wearing T-shirts could not enter the House.
The BJP legislators objected to being stopped and insisted on entering Vidhana Soudha. R. Ashoka asked the MLAs and MLCs to push past the security personnel and enter the building.
The BJP legislators then raised “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogans and forced their way through the security cordon into Vidhana Soudha.
During the protest, BJP legislators also raised slogans questioning the alleged diversion of funds of the tribal welfare corporation.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka stated, “Even after there is so much evidence available, the Congress party has stalled the entire session for the sake of one person who allegedly looted money meant for Dalits. Is this tenable? Don’t you have any other Dalit leaders? Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara claimed on the floor of the House that Minister Nagendra has no cases against him. There are 31 cases against him.”
Ashoka further stated, “The Supreme Court has laid down guidelines on the eligibility of a person to be appointed as a minister. There is also a CBI chargesheet. I have released all the documents, yet the government still has doubts? The government should sack him and allow the session to function.”
Ashoka alleged, “The Congress is taking an anti-Dalit stand. The money allegedly looted has gone to Rahul Gandhi’s residence and towards elections. If Minister Nagendra is removed, the Congress leadership fears that he will reveal everything.”
Speaking during the protest, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra said the party’s agitation would continue even after the ongoing legislature session.
“The CM’s stand and the ruling party’s stance that, come what may, we will not drop corrupt Minister Nagendra from the Cabinet makes it evident that the government is by the corrupt and for the corrupt,” he alleged.
“While looting money meant for Dalits, didn’t Minister Nagendra and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal know that it was Dalit money that they were looting?” accused Vijayendra.
–IANS
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