BJP leaders taken into custody as protest march to Vidhana Soudha foiled
Bengaluru, August 24: Several BJP leaders, including the leaders of Opposition in both Houses of the Karnataka Legislature, were taken into custody by police on Monday as they attempted to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha, demanding the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra.
Those detained included BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Opposition Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Ravikumar, MLC C.T. Ravi, former minister B. Sriramulu, and a large number of party workers.
The BJP has been staging protests both inside and outside the Legislature, demanding Mr. Nagendra's resignation after he was chargesheeted in a case related to alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes. On Monday, the party escalated its campaign. Protesters gathered at Freedom Park and marched towards Vidhana Soudha.
During the march, demonstrators shouted slogans and accused the Congress government of shielding Mr. Nagendra and cheating Dalits. A minor scuffle broke out when police attempted to stop the protesters, citing prohibitory orders in force due to the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature.
To prevent the protesters from entering the legislature complex, police took the leaders and a large number of demonstrators into custody. They were released later in the day. More than 500 police personnel, along with KSRP platoons, had been deployed around the complex, and security was tightened in and around Vidhana Soudha.
Before being detained, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok alleged that the situation resembled the Emergency days when people's rights were curtailed. He asserted that Opposition parties would continue their protest until Mr. Nagendra resigns.
Meanwhile, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) temporarily closed two entrances at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Metro Station (Vidhana Soudha) from 10.17 a.m. following advice from local authorities. Entrances E and F, including the lift entrance, were closed. All other entrances remained open for passengers. The BMRCL urged commuters to cooperate with authorities.
