The recent state-wide protest against the Mahadayi Tribunal verdict (which was against Karnataka) had turned violent. Police personnel are even accused of assaulting people. Following such state-wide incidents, the chief minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah seems willing to go out of his way to appear sensitive and understanding when dealing with the issue.
The CM was faced with protestors outside the Vidhan Soudha today, and in a rare gesture of conciliation, Siddaramaiah stepped out of his official car and walked over to the protesting group, led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj.
He spent a short while meeting with them, hearing their requests and accepting their written memorandum.
Among the protestors, Senior advocate BD Hiremath gave a detailed report of police atrocities to the CM, while Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and Sa Ra Govind also submitted memorandums to Siddaramaiah and demanded action against the guilty.
Once the meeting was over, Siddaramaiah did not return to this car. Instead, he walked over to the Vidhana Soudha with Vatal Nagaraj.
Vatal had been earlier stopped by security forces from entering the premises. Sensing an opportunity to make a wisecrack, Vatal quipped, "You stopped me from entering the Vidhana Soudha. Now see! Your chief minister is walking with me. Now, I will not enter even if you give me crores to enter inside!"
Karnataka gets a 'No' from PM Modi
Meanwhile, the letter written by chief minister Siddaramaiah to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), requesting for time to discuss the Mahadayi issue, has received thumbs down. The PMO has refused any time to discuss the matter or even to meet the state delegation, said sources.
