The South India times Bengaluru: After the district administration imposed prohibitory orders in Kodagu for four days, to be in place from Wednesday, Congress has decided to “postpone” its ‘Madikeri Chalo’ rally. “There is a right to freedom of movement according to the Constitution, but as part of a conspiracy, they (BJP) have tried to scuttle it. The DC and SP have clamped Section 144…we can oppose and do it, but as the Leader of Opposition and former chief minister, I do not want to violate the law, the party does not want to violate the law,” Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday.
The rally was called in retaliation to the Leader of the Opposition facing protest over his statements on VD Savarkar. Siddaramaiah along with Congress leaders and workers had planned to lay a siege to the SP’s office in Kodagu, on August 26, following the incidents of eggs being hurled at his car and black flags being waved during his visit to Kodagu on August 18.
Siddaramaiah said the protest was a party program and not personal, so after discussion with the state president and leaders, we have decided to postpone it.
“As we should not defy the orders of the government, we have postponed it. After discussing with leaders, we will decide on the further course of action,” he said while alleging that BJP announced ‘Jana Jagruthi Samavesha’ with a mala fide intention aimed at scuttling Congress’ protest.
The Kodagu district administration has clamped prohibitory orders in the district between 6 am on August 24 and 6 pm on August 27, thereby denying permission for Congress’ protest and BJP’s ‘Jana Jagruthi Samavesha’. Both were scheduled for August 26. Siddaramaiah had alleged that police were ineffective and did not make any attempt to control protesters when a handbill was thrown inside his car and a couple of eggs were hurled at it in a few places during the visit. He alleged that at one place even a stone wrapped in a cloth was thrown at his car, but police remained silent spectators.
