BJP accuses Rai of backing PFI; plans ‘Mangaluru Chalo’ for his resignation

Bengaluru, Aug 19: The Karnataka BJP has decided to intensify its agitation against the ruling Congress dispensation. At a meeting of the core committee headed by party state president B S Yeddyurappa in Bengaluru, it was decided to take the agitation of the party against the Siddaramaiah government to the Assembly-constituency level.

The party on Friday held a protest in Bengaluru against the state government for shielding “corrupt” ministers, including D K Shivakumar who faced I-T raids recently.

Briefing reporters, BJP State general secretary Aravind Limbavali said the party will organise a “Mangaluru chalo” protest soon demanding the resignation of Forest Minister Ramanath Rai. He charged Rai with supporting Popular Front of India (PFI) and Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD). Limbavali accused the two organisations of involvement in the killing of RSS and BJP functionaries.

BJP national president Amit Shah, during his recent visit to Bengaluru, had expressed his strong displeasure at the lack of aggression in the state unit to take on the ruling Congress. Limbavali said the BJP will pressure the government to announce relief measures to farmers reeling under severe drought. According to sources, the core committee meeting also decided to assign senior leaders three districts each to monitor all party related activities.

The BJP core committee on Friday agreed to the demand of senior party leader K S Eshwarappa and his followers to effect changes in district units of the party by giving preference to party loyalists.

It was decided that senior leaders will undertake a six-day tour of the state from August 20 and later decide on changing district presidents and office bearers wherever the organisational setup is weak, sources said.