Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Feb 17: Mangaluru South block Congress on Thursday February 17 held a rally from Hampankatta signal to Clock Tower protesting against rural development minister K S Eshwarappa for his remark on hoisting the saffron flag at Red Fort.
The Congress also demanded Eshwappa's resignation.
Congress leaders carried a dead body effigy of Eshwarappa from Hampankatta signal to Clock Tower and tried to set it on fire, even as police intervened and doused the flames.
Addressing the protest, former mayor Shashidhar Hegde said, "Since the BJP took power, there has been repeated administrative faliure. The statement made by Eshwarappa has to be condemned."
Former MLA J R Lobo said, "Eshwarappa has no control over his tongue. He is a senior leader, no one needs to tell him about the Constitution or the government. He should be responsible while giving statements to the media.
"He is unfit to be a minister. He should be sacked from the cabinet and action should be taken against him. He is anti-national. Why has he still not been arrested?" Lobo added.
It may be recalled that K S Eshwarappa passed controversial remarks on hoisting the saffron flag at Red Fort instead of the Tricolour. Both the chief minister and the home minister have said that there was no question of booking him for treason.
Congress leaders A C Vinayaraj, T K Sudhir, district women Congress president Shalet Pinto, Sabitha Misquith and others were present.