Karnataka BJP to hold protests against price rise, Muslim quota, MLAs suspension
Bengaluru (PTI): Aimed at targeting the ruling Congress, Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Saturday announced a day and night protest against price rise from April 2, and a statewide awareness campaign after April 10 against the government's "unconstitutional" move to provide a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts. He also said that the party will hold a protest against the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly, calling Speaker U T Khader's decision as "dictatorial".
"Some party leaders met and discussed several issues, especially about the state government's price rise. By increasing milk prices probably the Congress government has given a Ugadi gift to the public. We want to create public awareness and we have decided to protest against this price rise," Vijaynedra said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the BJP will begin a day and night protest at the Freedom Park here from 11 am on April 2.
"All BJP MLAs, MLCs, former legislators, those who have contested Assembly polls, district presidents and state officers will participate in this protest. There will be a protest against this Congress government's price rise at all district centres on April 4 and at all mandals on April 5," he added.
Speaking about the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly on the last day of the legislature session, last week, Vijayendra, calling it "dictatorial", said this is not right and it is "unconstitutional".
"On April 2, all our MLAs and MLCs will stage a protest in front of Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue in the Vidhana Soudha premises. We will also be submitting a representation to the Speaker that day, because the Speaker's decision is an insult to the voters of suspended MLAs' constituencies," he said.
Until the Speaker withdraws his "unconstitutional" decision of suspending 18 BJP legislators, the party MLAs and MLCs will not attend any Legislature Committee meetings, he added.
Terming the Congress government's move to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts as "anti Hindu", the BJP president said it was an "unconstitutional" move, and the state government cannot make such a decision based on religion.
"To appease the minorities, the Congress government and the chief minister are insulting the Hindus. The BJP strongly opposes it. After April 10, dates will be decided and all our party leaders and legislators will tour the state and visit all districts to make people aware about the government's Muslim appeasement and insulting Hindus," he added.
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Five killed as moving bus catches fire in Lucknow
Lucknow (PTI): Five people, including two children, were killed when a private bus caught fire in the Mohanlalganj area here early Thursday, police said.
They said the incident occurred around 5:00 am on Kisan Path, a major roadway on the outskirts of Lucknow.
According to sources, the bus was carrying 80 passengers.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mohanlalganj) Rajneesh Verma said the bus was en route to Delhi from Begusarai in Bihar when it suddenly caught fire.
"Initial investigation suggests that the fire may have started due to a short circuit in the bus' gearbox," Verma told PTI.
Most of the passengers were asleep when the fire started. It spread rapidly and five passengers -- two women, two children and a man -- were unable to get out in time and died. Several other passengers sustained injuries and have been taken to a hospital for treatment, police said.
According to eyewitnesses, the flames were visible from almost a kilometre away. The bus did not come to a halt immediately after the fire broke out, the eyewitnesses said.
Firefighters reached the spot promptly and managed to control the blaze within half an hour.
Police found that the emergency exit door of the bus failed to open, which led to passengers sitting in the rear getting trapped inside.
According to authorities, a probe to determine the exact cause of the fire is underway.
