Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs on Thursday staged a walkout in the Karnataka Assembly protesting the rejection of permission to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia to enter Bengaluru for its function on February 8.
Earlier, on Wednesday the BJP MLAs raised objection in the Karnataka Assembly to the ban on VHP leader Praveen Togadia entering Bengaluru, leading to the adjournment of the House repeatedly.
BJP leader R Ashoka raised the issue as the House met for the day and questioned the government's intention behind the action and called it an attempt to "suppress" the majority, leading to a heated argument between BJP and Congress MLAs.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah intervened to say government would not allow anything that disturbs peace in society. This further angered BJP members.
The Speaker said he would give permission to raise the issue during Zero Hour and Question Hour should be allowed to function smoothly, to which members agreed.
Police had on Tuesday banned Togadia from entering the city from February 5 to 11 on the grounds that his "provocative and inflammatory" speeches would have "grave" consequences and there was likelihood of breach of peace.
