Disgruntled Over Cabinet Snub, Congress MLA Supporters Cause Chaos

Chikkaballapura: Supporters of Bagepalli Congress MLA S N Subba Reddy went on a rampage here on Wednesday, forcing shops to shut down, stopping KSRTC buses, burning tyres in the middle of roads and blocking traffic to protest his exclusion from the Karnataka Cabinet.

The discontent over the ministry's expansion did not limit to Bagepalli alone as it spilled onto the streets across the state.

The dawn-to-dusk bandh, called by Reddy's supporters, brought normal life to a standstill in the three taluks -- Bagepalli, Chelur and Gudibande -- of Chikkaballapura district.

Protesters parked tractors, buses, cars and other vehicles across key roads, raised slogans demanding a ministerial berth for the three-time MLA and burned tyres.

"We have not received justice in the Congress government in Karnataka. That is why the people of Bagepalli, Chelur and Gudibande have voluntarily observed this bandh. They are doing this in the hope that something good will happen for our MLA in the coming days," a Congress leader, supporting the MLA said.

The agitation took a dramatic turn in Gudibande when a staunch supporter of Reddy, identified as Ambarish, allegedly attempted self-immolation by pouring petrol on himself during the protest.

Police personnel intervened in time, snatched away the petrol can and prevented the attempt before taking him into custody.

Protesters burnt tyres and blocked roads outside the KSRTC bus stand in Bagepalli.

There were also arguments between police and Congress workers after protesters allegedly forced tea shops and other business establishments to close while enforcing the bandh.

The protest came amid a widening rebellion within the ruling Congress after the Cabinet expansion, with more than 22 MLAs and their supporters expressing resentment over being denied ministerial berths.

Several legislators questioned the selection process, some threatened to resign from their posts, while supporters staged demonstrations in different parts of the state demanding "justice" for their leaders.

In a stern warning issued to disgruntled Congress MLAs threatening to resign as they were left out in the Cabinet expansion, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the party is important; if they resign, it will be accepted within a few minutes.

Two months after assuming charge as the chief minister, Shivakumar on Monday expanded his Cabinet by inducting 19 ministers.