Cong party, government, not behind bandhs: Ramalinga Reddy

Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that neither the Congress party, nor the government, had called for the Karnataka bandh that was observed in the state on Thursday, January 25.  

Retorting to BJP's accusations that the bandh was sponsored by the government, Reddy cautioned BJP leaders to speak with responsibility.

After Amit Shah took over as BJP National President, 10 bandhs have been called for in the state, he added.    

He said that the pro-Kannada and farmer outfits had called Thursday's bandh because of the confusion created over the Mahadayi water sharing dispute by State BJP President B S Yedyurappa, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Amit Shah.  

He said leaders like Vatal Nagaraj who called for the bandh had no links with the Congress. "Vatal Paksha and its associate organisations have observed many bandhs. Have they consulted us or the BJP when it was in power in the state?" Reddy questioned.    

Reddy said that he was not sure whether any organisation would observe a bandh when AICC Rahul Gandhi is in Bengaluru.

"I will ask these organisations not to protest or call a bandh when Prime Minister Modi is in Bengaluru (February 4). But will they heed my plea?" quipped the minister.