Bengaluru, Aug 24 (IANS) Karnataka BJP workers and leaders on Monday attempted to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha, demanding the resignation of Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra over the alleged tribal welfare scam.

The protestors gathered at all four entrances of Vidhana Soudha, arriving in cars, auto-rickshaws and Metro. The police made elaborate security arrangements and prevented the protesters from entering the Vidhana Soudha premises.

A parallel protest was held at Freedom Park under the leadership of Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, along with other senior BJP leaders.

A large number of BJP workers attempted to enter Vidhana Soudha from the Vikasa Soudha side. The police stopped them at the entrance, leading to a confrontation as protesters tried to push their way through while waving saffron shawls.

The protest was led by senior BJP MLC N. Ravikumar and was joined by MLC C.T. Ravi and several other party leaders. Police personnel pushed the protesters back and detained several workers, including women, by taking them into BMTC buses and other vehicles.

The protesters raised slogans demanding Nagendra’s resignation and shouted, “We want justice” and “Resignation must”, “Where did the money go, money went to Rahul Gandhi’s residence”. Some protesters also alleged that money meant for Dalit welfare had been diverted.

Another group led by BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka also attempted to enter the Vidhana Soudha premises. Police prevented them and detained several leaders.

Ashoka and Vijayendra were among those forcibly lifted by police personnel and taken to vehicles. Speaking to reporters from inside a police vehicle, Ashoka accused the Congress government of misusing funds meant for Dalit welfare.

“The government has gobbled up money belonging to Dalits. Dalits are waiting for their money to be returned for welfare schemes, but the Congress government has shared the money among its leaders,” Ashoka alleged.

He said the BJP had organised the protest to draw public attention to the alleged diversion of funds and demanded Nagendra’s resignation.

“We are protesting because of Minister Nagendra. He has looted around Rs 180 crore from the Valmiki Corporation. This money should be returned to the people. That is why we are protesting in front of Vidhana Soudha,” he alleged.

Ashoka also criticised the police action against BJP workers and leaders, alleging that they were handled roughly despite conducting a peaceful protest.

“If the government resorts to this level of action, it is not good. We are silently protesting, but the Congress government is attacking us. This is not good. Our agitation will continue. We want the resignation of Minister Nagendra,” he said.

Vijayendra stated, “The protest is against the Congress government, which is reluctant to drop Minister Nagendra from the Cabinet and appears to be supporting corruption. Against this backdrop, we are laying siege to Vidhana Soudha.”

When asked about the Congress’ allegation that the BJP was resorting to goondaism, Vijayendra said, “The whole state knows who rose to prominence in politics through goondaism. They built their political careers through goondaism. The Chief Minister, who is calling us goondas, has himself practised goondaism, and the people of the state know this. The people of Bengaluru also know this fact.

“Today, the BJP and JD(S) are honestly fighting for the interests of Dalits and agitating on behalf of the voiceless. The CM has called us goondas. You are a goonda, Mr D.K. Shivakumar. You are trying to sideline our agitation, but it will not stop at any cost,” Vijayendra said.

BJP MLC N. Ravi Kumar stated that the investigation has revealed that more than Rs 100 crore has been spent on elections in other states and Rs 20 crore has been spent in the Ballari election. The government can’t take the scam lightly.

The BJP has stepped up its protest over the alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, demanding accountability and the return of funds allegedly diverted from schemes meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities.

–IANS

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