Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 22: BJP leaders and activists held protests at various places in the state on Friday September 21 against chief minister (CM), H D Kumaraswamy for his warning to give a call for people's revolt. Many have condemned the statement, holding that a chief minister, who is responsible to maintain law and order situation in the state, is wrong in issuing such threats.

At the same time, higher education minister, G T Deve Gowda, has come out in support of the CM by saying that what the CM meant was that he should be allowed to undertake development works and control administration at a time when the state is reeling under floods on one side and drought on the other.

Noting that the issue is snowballing into a major controversy, former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, is learnt to have convened a meeting of the CM and other leaders and told them in curt words the way they are expected to handle the situation. Kumaraswamy, who arrived at the residence of Siddaramaiah, held talks with him for over an hour on Friday.

The CM has reportedly got intelligence inputs which indicate that Jarkiholi brothers and a few legislators from Ballari and surrounding places continue to be in touch with BJP leaders. He therefore is learnt to have advised Congress leaders to rein in such leaders. In response, Siddaramaiah criticized Kumaraswamy for threatening to start revolt, in spite of being the chief minister of a state. He told the CM that this statement has damaged the image of the government and advised him to undertake damage control measures.

Speaking about Operation Lotus, the former chief minister is understood to have questioned minister, D K Shivakumar, about his meddling with Belagavi politics, which apparently gave rise to protest and threat to the existence of the coalition government. He reportedly questioned whether he would remain silent if some outsiders get involved with politics in Ramanagara district. He opined that it was unnecessary to have caused the problem of Jarkiholi brothers, and asked him to be careful before treading in other's territory.