SIDDU: WILL PLACE BJP GOVT'S AFFIDAVIT TO SC BEFORE HOUSE

IN an effort to counter the Opposition BJP which has extended support to the Panchamasali Lingayats' protest demanding higher reservation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday told the Assembly that he will place before it the previous saffron party government's affidavit to the Supreme Court on the issue that advocated maintaining status quo.

- PRAMODKUMAR VAIDYA @ Belagavi

The CM was responding to BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who sought clarity on the State Government's position regarding the issue.

In his response, Siddaramaiah informed the Assembly that his government is bound by the affidavit submitted by the previous government to the Supreme Court, which advocated maintaining the status quo. Despite objections from BJP members, Siddaramaiah challenged them, expressing his readiness to place the affidavit filed by the previous saffron party government in the Assembly. Siddaramaiah's statement came on the eve of the Panchamasali Lingayats planning to protest outside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, demanding to be included in 2A category (15%) of the OBC reservation matrix. They are currently included under 3B (5%).

Meanwhile, the Belagavi district administration's decision to prohibit the protest drew sharp criticism from the Opposition BJP in the Assembly on Monday. The BJP members accused the Congress government of infringing on the right to peaceful protest.