BJP divided over BSY snubbing Simha for 'violent' protests video

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa openly denying that party national chief Amit Shah had told Yuva Morcha state President and MP Prathap Simha to take an aggressive fight against the Congress has embarrassed the party.

It has also resulted in leaders of the party airing varied views on the issue. It all began with Simha, hosting a video on his Facebook page, where among others he states that he will be intensifying his fight against Congress on the instruction of Shah.

"Shah during the visit to Bengaluru in August asked us (Yuva Morcha) to list out the agitations against the Congress government during the last four years. He asked us how many times have we faced lathi charge or escaped tear gas shells, indicating that we stage agitations with such intensity to draw the ire of the police ," Simha, who is also Mysore-Kodagu MP, states in the video.

A day later Simha, rammed his car into a police barricade after he was prevented to participate in Hanuma Jayanthi function in Hunsur in Mysuru district.

Reacting to the development, Yeddyurappa had recently said, "Shah had only said there should be more zeal in the protests but had never mentioned one should be breaking the law. He (Simha) is unnecessarily dragging Shah's name into all this".

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar said he had not seen Simha's video and it will be inappropriate to comment. "Breaking the law during protest has never been the policy of the party," he said.

Union Statistics and Programme Implementation Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said "Amit Shah is our supreme boss and we have to abide by his directions. But, does law provide for holding up an MP for 13 hours in a police van?" he asked referring to Simha's arrest.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa said Shah had asked the party leaders to take on the ruling Congress. "Police gives permission for processions for Muslims but deny them to Hindus. This is unfair," he said.

Former Home Minister R Ashoka said it is a sensitive matter and will not like to comment. "Our aggressive attitude is not against the police," he said.