BJP accuses Karnataka govt of trying to ‘cover up’ pro-Pakistan slogan issue

BENGALURU: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday accused the state government of trying to ‘cover up’ the alleged pro-Pakistan slogan incident.

“They are allowing pro-Pak (Pakistan) slogans inside Vidhana Soudha. This is a danger to the security and democracy of our country. Still, the government is not taking any action and they are trying to cover up the whole issue”, Bommai said on Thursday.

Basavaraj Bommai demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into raising of pro-Pakistan slogans and the dismissal of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state since “it was not functioning according to the Constitution”. He alleged that the state government protected “anti-nationals”.

Earlier, talking to reporters after submitting a memorandum to the Governor seeking the dismissal of the Congress government here on Thursday, he said the Congress party has gone morally bankrupt and the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been “far from true”.

“Now they have been exposed further by defending those who raised pro-Pakistan slogans. The Congress party was acting like a grave threat to democracy. Since the slogans had been raised in Vidhana Soudha, the nation’s security is under threat. The Congress leaders think everyone will forget this incident since the joint session of the legislature has ended, but the people of Karnataka would not forget. The BJP will continue this agitation. If the incumbent government stands by Pakistan, then it doen’t have any moral right to continue. It would be better if the present government goes as early as possible”, Bommai said.

The BJP leader said the visual media clearly showed the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans, but the government has been misleading the people by telling the story of the FSL report. This shows, he said, that the government was trying to hush up this incident.

“So far, no one has been arrested in this connection. In other cases, the cops would have arrested without waiting for the FSL report. If no truth was there then why did they file a suo motu case? The incumbent government was anti-national and anti-Kannadiga and it must be dismissed by the Governor”, he said.

Replying to the Congress MLC B K Hariprasad statement’s, Bommai said it shows the mindset of the Congress Party. “The Pakistan-sponsored terrorists were killing the Indian soldiers daily. Can they be called as friends? Seeing that statement they should be called as anti-nationals”, Bommai said.

Earlier in the day, the BJP MLAs staged a protest outside the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday against the state government over various issues including action over the alleged pro-Pak slogan incident. The BJP legislators earlier stormed the well in the Assembly demanding the arrest of those who allegedly raised ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa accused the BJP of trying to take ‘political advantage’ of the issue.”It is already placed before the Assembly that if this has happened, action will be taken and FIR has already been lodged. Government has done whatever it had to do. After the inquiry, governmentt will take strict action. We allowed them (BJP) to say whatever they wanted to yesterday but after that also they created problems, so it seems to be politically motivated. They are taking the political advantage of this issue”, Muniyappa said.

Responding to the protests, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in the assembly that the government has sent the voice report to FSL and action will be taken after the report is received. “As I have told you already government is committed, we’ll not spare any person once the report come. We have given it for FSL. We’ll take action once report comes”, the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, state police said that a supporter of Congress MP-elect Syed Naseer Hussain has been detained in connection with the alleged ‘pro-Pakistan’ slogan incident. According to Byadagi police, the person has been identified as Mohammed Shafi Nashipudi, who is a trader. “A trader and supporter of Syed Naseer Hussain, Mohammed Shafi Nashipudi, detained by Byadagi town police,” the police said.

The police said that Shafi was present in Vidhana Soudha with Syed Nasser Hussain during the celebrations of the latter’s win in the Rajya Sabha elections. Police collected his voice sample and took him to analyse the voice in the alleged pro-Pakistan slogan video, they added.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | On BJP's allegations and complaint that his supporters raised pro-Pakistan slogan at Vidhana Soudha, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain says, "…I can understand the frustration of BJP. They have lost badly despite both the parties (BJP-JDS) coming… pic.twitter.com/KJkD02ZPMC

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

However, the party’s MP-elect Syed Naseer Hussain dismissed the BJP’s allegation that his supporters raised pro-Pakistan slogans at Vidhana Soudha. “I can understand the frustration of the BJP. They have lost badly despite both parties (BJP-JDS) coming together and trying every trick in the book to get an extra Rajya Sabha seat from Karnataka,” Hussain.

“Had I heard that, I would have sent him to jail. I come from a freedom fighter’s family. I represent a party that has fought and brought freedom to this country,” Hussain said.

As per the complaint filed by the Karnataka BJP, it was alleged that after the returning officer declared that Hussain was elected to the Rajya Sabha, around 7 pm on February 27, his supporters, who had gathered at the premises of the Vidhana Soudha”, at the instance of Hussain, suddenly shouted ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans in a loud manner while cheering for Hussain”, (ANI)