Karnataka netas to hit streets only after an earful from BJP president

Bengaluru: After a three-day ‘drill’ imparted by Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah, the party’s state unit has decided to hit the streets against the state government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Mr Shah reportedly gave the leaders a dressing down for almost 72 hours for their failure to make the best of the several misdeeds of the Congress government.

Now, state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa has announced a week-long agitation from August 16 at the state, district and taluk levels against the government in general and Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar in particular over the I-T raids on him.

In a press release issued here on Monday, Mr Yeddyurappa said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party takes serious note of the fact that the Chief Minister has not acted against Mr Shivakumar post the I-T raids. This government has always been tolerant when it comes to corruption and the corrupt. Our party has always been committed to probity in public life and believes in providing corruption-free administration-be in the states or at the centre.

“Mr Siddaramaiah's government has unfortunately become synonymous with corrupt administration and has earned the epithet of being the 'most corrupt' government in the country. The state government has become an expert in securing clean chits for ministers who have been charged with various misdemeanours.”

He said, “Inspite of this, the Chief Minister has not relieved any of his tainted ministers of their responsibilities. A state-wide agitation in form of protests, dharnas, protest rallies, two-wheeler rallies, torch light processions (by Yuva Morcha) and silent protest processions by the Mahila Morcha have been planned.”