Do not go ahead with ‘Madikeri Chalo’ rally, Vishwanath entreats Siddaramaiah

Mysuru: Pointing to the volatile political atmosphere prevalent in the state, MLC and former minister Adagooru H Vishwanath on Monday sought to dissuade former chief minister and leader of opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah from going ahead with the planned ‘Madikeri Chalo’ rally. Vishwanath feared that ensuring order would be a tall order for the law enforcement authorities should the former CM decide to go ahead with the planned protest rally.
The situation in various pockets of the state is tenuous in the wake of eggs being hurled at Siddaramaiah’s car recently. Vishwanath, who had earlier pointed out that such attacks were not too unusual in democratic countries, is now condemning the incident. Vishwanath sought to remind Siddaramaiah that CM Basavaraj Bommai, and former CM BS Yediyurappa had both been vocal in condemning the attack on the Congress leader. Vishwanath said that miscreants may well create trouble during the ‘Madikeri Chalo’ agitation, scheduled on August 26.
Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi herself had been attacked during an event, which left her with a fractured nose, Vishwanath said, adding that another former PM Morarji Desai, had been attacked with a slipper at a public event. He suggested that the former CM could raise the issue he sought to draw attention to through the ‘Madikeri Chalo’ rally on the floor of the assembly. Siddaramaiah could move for a privilege motion against the Kodagu deputy commissioner, and superintendent of police, Vishwanath said.
The senior leader called on former CM SM Krishna, and Yediyurappa to help prevent the issue from escalating.
Police step up security for Somashekar
In the wake of black flags being waved at Mysuru district in-charge minister ST Somashekar’s convoy allegedly by Congress activists on Saturday and Sunday, city police have stepped up security for the minister. Police personnel will henceforth comb the streets that Somashekar’s convoy will pass through when he visits Mysuru to ensure that he does not become the subject of disruptive demonstrations. Furthermore, the splashing of an egg on Siddaramaiah’s car has turned the spotlight on the need for security to VIPs.
On Monday, senior cops led by Mysuru city deputy commissioner of police (law and order) Pradeep Gunti oversaw security arrangements for Somashekar at Kalamandir and Karnataka State Open University, a posse of cops remained at the minister’s side during his visit to the Mysuru Zoo.
Somashekar said that he was in agreement with Vishwanath’s observations on the perils of Siddaramaiah undertaking the ‘Madikeri Chalo’ rally on August 26. Somashekar said that Vishwanath was a senior politician, concerned about the law-and-order situation in the state.
The minister added that he would be in attendance, along with Yediyurappa, at the ceremony being held at the North gate of Mysore Palace to flag off the Savarkar Rath Yatra.