Published Aug 19, 2024 | 2:48 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 19, 2024 | 2:48 PM
Congress protest in Mangaluru. (Supplied)
The ruling Congress in Karnataka on Monday, 19 August, held a state-wide protest against Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot giving sanction for investigation against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with irregularities in the allotment of alternative sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Taking to the streets, Congress leaders and workers staged dharnas, foot marches and rallies in district headquarters, holding placards denouncing the action and raising slogans against the Governor.
“The Governor is making a case out of nothing. This is a murder of democracy and we will protest it,” Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, said on Sunday.
Demonstrations were held in various parts of the state including Bengaluru, Udupi, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Tumakuru and Mysuru.
The chief minister has said: “There is no case against me, and the Governor’s decision is unconstitutional.”
Siddaramaiah alleged that the Governor has become a puppet in the hands of the Union government, and granting sanction against him is nothing but a sinister conspiracy to destabilise an elected government.
“A grand conspiracy has been hatched to undermine our government. The BJP and JD(S) leaders in the state are all part of this scheme. Just as they did in Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Delhi, they are now attempting to execute their plans in Karnataka,” he has said.
In Chikkamagaluru, protests were held with the slogan “Go Back Governor. A mock funeral procession of the Governor was held on the highway and an effigy was burnt by the protestors.
The party launched a massive protest in Mysuru, led by District in-charge Minister HC Mahadevappa which saw thousands of Congress workers gather at Gandhi Square.
Following the rally at Gandhi Square, the protestors marched in a large procession to the District Collector’s (DC) office.
In #Mysuru, the @INCKarnataka party launched a massive protest against the Governor’s actions, rallying in support of Chief Minister @siddaramaiah.
Led by District In-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, thousands of #Congress workers gathered at Gandhi Square. After the rally,… pic.twitter.com/v7vlBAAnye
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) August 19, 2024
In Chitradurga, Congress workers blocked the National Highway and expressed anger by setting fire to tyres in the middle of the highway.
The incident took place on National Highway 4 near Ayyanahalli, where protestors made bold statements against the Governor, shouting “Go Back Governor” in outrage.
A massive protest in Bagalkot took a dangerous turn when a supporter of Siddaramaiah was accidentally set on fire.
The incident occurred during the burning of the Governor’s effigy. The incident happened at the DC Circle in Bagalkot. The injured person was taken to the district hospital.
The protest in Vijayapura was led by the District Congress unit. The protest march started from the Siddeshwara Temple and proceeded to the District Collector’s office, with participants raising slogans like “Go Back Governor” to express their dissent.
In Koppal, the protest was at Ashok Circle, where supporters of Siddaramaiah gathered in large numbers. The demonstration was led by District In-Charge Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi.
In T Narasipura, hundreds of Congress workers gathered at the Vidyodaya College Circle in the town, condemning Gehlot’s unconstitutional actions. They expressed their anger by burning tyres on the road while chanting slogans.
During a protest organised in Raichur against the Governor, tensions flared among party leaders. In the presence of Minister Boseraju and MLC Vasanth Kumar, a dispute arose over seating arrangements.
The police intervened and managed to calm the situation. The incident occurred during the ongoing protest at Ambedkar Circle in Raichur city.
During the protests, Incidents of stone-pelting occurred in Mangaluru. After the protest meeting at Lal Bagh Junction, stones were thrown at a private city bus.
The windshield of the bus was completely shattered. The incident happened as Congress workers took to the streets after the meeting, with unidentified individuals involved in the stone-pelting.
In Dakshina Kannada, following a @INCKarnataka protest against the Governor’s approval for prosecution against the Chief Minister, incidents of stone-pelting were reported in #Mangaluru.
After the protest meeting at Lal Bagh Junction, stones were thrown at a private city bus,… pic.twitter.com/um6N7DMjv0
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) August 19, 2024
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Nolan Pinto, PTI)
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