Bengaluru: The state BJP has put off its day and night dharna, that was to begin on September 26 for the resignation of Bengaluru Development Minister, K.J. George, over the suicide of Dy.SP, Ganapathy.
While the BJP claimed it was postponing its agitation because its leaders were busy with other matters and its MLAs and MLCs were in Delhi on Monday to attend the extended national executive committee meeting, it is believed various factors were taken into consideration before calling it off.
Announcing the decision here on Tuesdsay, BJP spokesman, Ashwathanarayan said the party would chalk out a plan for a state-wide agitation against Mr. George once the CBI began its investigation into the police officer's suicide.
BJP state president, B.S.Yeddyurappa had given Mr. George an ultimatum to resign on or before September 26 and threatened to launch the day and night dharna if he didn't during a recent protest rally in Bengaluru.
Going by some party insiders he made the announcement without consulting the BJP's core committee , which later decided to put it off. If sources are to be believed, the agitation was not fully thought out. For instance , leaders were reportedly not clear on how long the dharna was supposed to continue if Mr. George refused to resign.
Any decision to call it off abruptly would boomerang on it, they pointed out. Others felt that as the Supreme Court had already ordered the CBI inquiry, it did not make sense to give the minister an ultimatum at this time. It also appears that not everyone is keen on a night and day dharna and some have suggested holding a day- long dharna against the minister instead.
Mr George who was earlier handling the home portfolio, was forced to resign after Ganapathy in his suicide blamed him and bigwigs in the police force for his suicide. A CID enquiry was then ordered by the government and after the CID gave him a clean chit in the case, Mr George was reinstated in the cabinet as Bengaluru development minister.
