Bangalore, January 11
A major showdown is feared between workers of the ruling BJP and Opposition Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka following demonstrations staged by the BJP across the state today in protest against the foul language used by JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda against Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa.
BJP protesters at NICE Road --- the expressway being built by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise to link Bangalore with Mysore, which is at the centre of the conflict between the BJP and the JD(S) --- saw the demonstrators adorning a lifesize cutout of Gowda, a former PM, with a garland made out of worn-out shoes and sandals. They happily obliged the TV news channels by repeatedly hitting the effigy with shoes strung up on it.
BJP workers also brought out a mock funeral procession of the former PM and trampled the effigy before burning it.
In Mysore, Shivannagowda, a lawyer and a supporter of Gowda, came to blows with BJP workers who were demonstrating near the court premises. The lawyer was whisked away by police and taken to safe custody. Similar demonstrations by the BJP were held in various parts of the state. They burnt the effigy of Gowda, shouted slogans against him and demanded apology from the former PM.
In Bidar, the JD(S) office was attacked by BJP supporters. Gowda’s son and former CM Kumaraswamy took strong exception to the protests and warned of retaliation. “The agreement with NICE was not made when Gowda was the CM. His agitation on behalf of farmers did not start overnight”, he told reporters.
“Gowda made the abusive remarks yesterday while talking to the media about the controversial Bangalore-Mysore project that the local farmers were opposing since it entailed acquisition of land belonging to them.
