Berth denial sparks protests in Kundapur

The denial of a Cabinet berth for Kundapur MLA Haladi Srinivas Setty triggered protests across the taluk on Thursday.

People in the taluk had high hopes that their legislator will make it to the Cabinet. They were glued to TV sets to watch their leader being sworn-in as minister, as channels were flashing news till morning that he would make it this time.

However, as soon as they got to know that MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary had pipped Setty to the post, they were aghast.

Tyres were set afire on the road in the afternoon by an enraged mob at Haladi, Setty‘s birthplace. Shops downed their shutters as a mark of protest. BJP workers went in a procession raising slogans against the “injustice”.

The MLA’s supporters have called for a Kundapur bandh on Friday, against the “ill-treatment meted out to Setty,” who was asked to be present in the capital for the swearing-in ceremony, but later dropped from the list of ministers.

Ten members of the Kundapur Town Municipal Council have resigned in support of the MLA. Several leaders of the Kundapur unit of the Bajrang Dal have also announced their resignations.

Fifteen members of the Beejadi Gram Panchayat too have decided to quit.