Karnataka BJP Warns of Statewide Protests Over FIRs Against Party Workers

Bengaluru, Oct 12 : The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday warned of intensified statewide protests, including gheraos of police stations and district Superintendent of Police (SP) offices, if the state government continued registering FIRs against party workers in connection with the Form 7 controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

The warning came after a meeting of the BJP State Core Committee, which also discussed strategies for the forthcoming Hiriyur Assembly by-election and elections to zilla and taluk panchayats, signalling an escalation in the party's confrontation with the ruling Congress government.

State BJP president Vijayendra Yediyurappa said the party would not remain silent if the police continued filing cases against its workers. He alleged that BJP functionaries were being targeted and said the party had already approached senior police officials, seeking the withdrawal of what it described as false cases.

The BJP had also sought clarification from the Chief Election Commissioner on the Form 7 issue and submitted a complaint to the Governor against the state government's actions, Vijayendra said.

He further claimed that the High Court had reprimanded the government over the registration of FIRs against BJP workers. The Core Committee had decided to intensify its agitation if such cases continued, with protests planned outside police stations and district SP offices, he added.

The meeting was chaired by party co-incharge Kasam Venkateswaralu and attended by Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, national vice-president M Nagaraj and other senior leaders. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was absent due to official engagements.

Focus on Hiriyur by-election, local body polls

With the Hiriyur Assembly by-election potentially approaching, the committee discussed holding consultations with JD(S) leaders to reach a consensus on the candidate. The discussions assume significance as the BJP prepares to coordinate its electoral strategy with its alliance partner.

The committee also decided to strengthen preparations for the zilla and taluk panchayat elections by appointing district-level in-charges and constituting election management committees.

Vijayendra accused the state government of adopting a unilateral approach in finalising reservation categories for local body elections and urged it not to postpone the polls under any pretext. He said the BJP would take the alleged discrepancies in the reservation process to the people.

The committee also demanded the withdrawal of the decision authorising village accountants and Panchayat Development Officers to issue residential certificates in connection with the SIR process.

Farmers' protest over milk prices

Separately, the meeting discussed organising a large-scale farmers' protest against the state government's handling of milk prices.

The BJP alleged that the increase in milk prices would adversely affect farmers and accused the Congress government of seeking to divert resources due to milk producers to finance its guarantee schemes.

The meeting thus focused on a dual strategy of strengthening the party's electoral machinery ahead of crucial Assembly and local body contests while intensifying its political campaign against the Congress government over the Form 7 controversy, reservation issues and farmers' concerns.