Daijiworld Media Network – Shivamogga (MS)
Shivamogga, Feb 20: Rural development minister K S Eshwarappa who is in the eye of a storm for his controversial statement that the saffron flag will one day be hoisted at Red Fort, and who is facing intense protests from the opposition who are demanding his ouster, on Sunday February 20 defended his remarks but added that the Tricolour was like his "mother".
"I gave the controversial Bhagwa (saffron) flag statement in the interest of nation. The National Flag is like my mother. I will not yield to the kind of protests staged by Congress.
"People of Karnataka want development issues to be discussed in the Assembly session. So let us concentrate on the development of Karnataka," he said, responding to the day-night dharna by Congress in the Assembly demanding his sacking.
"Let us go to the people with the flag issue. Let them decide. I will drop this matter here itself," Eshwarappa said.
Responding to Eshwarappa, opposition leader Siddaramaiah said, "Should we keep quiet even when someone insults our National Flag? Should a person like Eshwarappa be minister? BJP never got inspired by the National Flag. They do not know the importance of the Tricolour. There is no need for us to learn patriotism from them."