Vijayendra calls CM 'biggest goonda' as BJP protest escalates

BJP leaders were detained during a protest at Bengaluru's Vidhana Soudha. State BJP chief BY Vijayendra attacked CM DK Shivakumar, calling him the 'biggest goonda' for misusing police and protecting Minister B Nagendra in a corruption case.

The political confrontation between the police and BJP leaders escalated significantly on Monday as the BJP took its agitation to the streets. High drama unfolded at the Vidhana Soudha when a large group of BJP MLAs and MLCs attempted to lay siege to the state legislature after marching from Freedom Park. Police personnel deployed in heavy numbers blocked the protesters from entering the premises and subsequently detained several senior leaders.

'Your Cup of Sins is Overflowing': Vijayendra Slams CM

Reacting to the detention, Karnataka BJP State President BY Vijayendra on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing the state government of misusing the police force to crush democratic dissent and asserting that the ruling dispensation's "cup of sins is overflowing."

"It has now become clear to everyone who is really looting the state's resources. The Chief Minister, who calls us 'goondas' (thugs), is actually the biggest 'goonda' himself today. They are misusing the police force to suppress our struggle and our voice. The Congress government should be ashamed of this behaviour. You constantly invoke the name of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and claim that injustice is being done to Dalits. Yet, you are protecting a minister who has looted the very money that was set aside for the development of the Dalit community. I am telling you, Mr Chief Minister, your cup of sins is now full. The Congress government's cup of sins is overflowing," Vijayendra told reporters.

He added, "You are fooling the people of this state by talking about development while being involved in shady real estate deals. I am warning the Chief Minister: our struggle will continue. We will remain the voice of the voiceless until justice is served and Nagendra resigns."

Standoff to Continue, BJP Firm on Demands

He further stated that the government is adamant and shamelessly defending Minister B Nagendra despite the Chief Minister himself previously admitting on the floor of the Assembly that a scam had occurred in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashoka also asserted that at no point of time will the BJP yield to any kind of compromise tactics of the government and that the demand for B Nagendra's resignation remains intact.

The standoff saw BJP leaders push toward the gates of Vidhana Soudha even as police personnel blocked their entry, leading to scuffles and tense stand-offs at the barricades. The BJP has also planned to continue its protest inside the Assembly when the session resumes today.

The demonstration followed a call by Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, who a day earlier announced that the BJP, in alliance with the JD(S), would "lay siege" to the Vidhana Soudha to demand accountability. Since the first day of the ongoing legislative session, BJP members have been staging protests in both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, demanding the resignation of Minister B Nagendra and refusing to accept any answers from the government on the issue.

CBI Seeks Sanction to Prosecute Minister

Meanwhile, the CBI has sought sanction for prosecution of B Nagendra from the Governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot. (ANI)

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