Escalating its demand for resignation of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister K.S. Eshwarappa for his controversial remarks on hoisting the saffron flag on Red Fort, the Opposition Congress resorted to a night-long dharna in both the Houses of the State legislature on Thursday.
The Congress, which has been staging a dharna in both the Houses since Wednesday demanding resignation of Mr. Eshwarappa, continued its dharna even after the Houses were adjourned for the day on Thursday.
Congress top leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D.K. Shivakuamar, were among those who stayed back in the Assembly to hold the night-long dharna. They declared that the party would take its demand for Mr. Eshwarappa’s resignation to logical end.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa called on the protesting Congress members in the Assembly and requested them to withdraw their night dharna plans. However, the Congress members told them that they were firm in their decision.
As soon as both the Houses commenced proceedings in the morning, Congress members rushed to the well of the House and resumed their dharna. Amidst sloganeering against the BJP Government, Mr. Kageri moved an obituary motion and condoled the death of former MLA and MLC Mallur Ananda Rao.
The Speaker also completed question hour amidst the dharna. With Congress members continuing to raise slogans, the Speaker adjourned the House for lunch. The post-lunch session of the Assembly lasted for just a little over five minutes as the Opposition Congress members resumed their dharna.
Though Mr. Kageri invited Mr. Siddaramaiah to participate in the debate on motion of thanks to Governor’s address, the protesting members refused to withdraw their dharna. As the vociferous protest continued, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.
In the Council, Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, who had rejected the adjournment motion earlier, allowed members to express their thoughts on the flag issue. JD(S) member Maritibbe Gowda and BJP member A.H. Vishwanth urged the Chief Minister to intervene in the issue and resolve it so that House hours are not wasted.
While defending Mr. Eshwarappa, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra accused Congress of “trying to divert attention of people after failing to do so in the hijab issue.” He also defended Mr. Eshwarappa, calling him a “patriot.” Leader of the Opposition in the Council B.K. Hariprasad said it is unfortunate that the Home Minister himself is defending someone who stands accused of “anti-national activity”. He went on to say that RSS has no respect for national flag and they are “fake patriots”, leading to din yet again. Congress member Allam Veerabhadrappa took exception to the hijab reference amidst discussion on flag.
The Congress has demanded removal of Mr. Eshwarappa from the Cabinet for his “anti-national” remarks and booking him for sedition.
