From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 21: The principal Opposition Congress protest in the Legislative Assembly entered second week on Monday, February 21 and Congress members raised slogans standing before the Speaker seeking resignation of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa for his remarks earlier that the saffron flag could in future fly in place of the tricolour on Red Fort.

Before the commencement of the House proceedings, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Vishweshwara Hege Kageri chaired a meeting of Congress leaders and the treasury benches, including ministers in a bid to persuade them to call off their 5-day long dharna.

But the Congress members refused to withdraw the protest and they staged the dharna inside the House.

Amidst sloganeering against the BJP government, the Speaker completed the question hour and allowed the State Government to table four bills, which were later passed.

Kageri asked the Congress members to withdraw their protest to allow leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah to speak on the Governor's address.

When the Congress members refused to budge, JD(S) member Bandeppa Kashempur demanded that the Speaker should allow them to speak on the Governor's address.

With difficulty in conducting the proceedings amidst protest, the Speaker adjourned the House till Tuesday.

The Speaker earlier took exception to Opposition Congress members shouting slogans against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during the protest seeking resignation of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa for his remarks earlier that the saffron flag could in future fly in place of the tricolour on Red Fort.

Kageri asked the Congress members: ``Why are you bringing RSS in your protest. The RSS volunteers are working for the unity of Hindus and country's integration. If possible support the RSS but don’t pass remarks against RSS in your protest. Do not link your protest to RSS.’’

“If Congress members have differences with the State government they should sort it outside and allow the legislature proceedings,’’ he said.

The Congress members are wasting precious legislature time by staging the protest inside the House and disturbing the proceedings, Kageri said.