BJP plans anti-Lad rally today; Cong may counter it

Wednesday may be witness to two parallel protests in Bangalore – one by the BJP seeking the resignation of Minister of State for Infrastructure and Information Santosh Lad for his alleged role in illegal mining and another by the Youth Congress, if the saffron party goes ahead with its protest.

BJP leaders, including party State president Pralhad Joshi, former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, former deputy chief minister R Ashoka and hundreds of party workers plan to assemble at Freedom Park and take out a rally to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s home office ‘Krishna,’ in support of their demands. However, police are unlikely to allow the rally beyond a point.

On the other hand, the Youth Congress  threatened to stage a dharna in front of BJP leader R Ashoka’s residence if he goes ahead with the protest in front of ‘Krishna’.
State Youth Congress chief Rizwan Arshad, in a release to the media, said Ashoka does not have the moral right to speak on corruption as he himself is involved in several cases.

“Ashoka’s plan appears childish. He wants to stage a dharna against corruption when he himself is involved in many cases,” Arshad said.

Ashoka was the Transport minister when the Belekeri scam was exposed.
“Was he not conducting an inspection of all iron ore transporting vehicles? His involvement in the scam is very clear,” Arshad said.

The BJP has accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who as opposition leader had led a padayatra to Bellary against illegal mining, of adopting double standards and allowing Lad to continue in the ministry, despite documents indicating his involvement in the scam.