CM writes to BJP MPs, asks them to attend protests

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah fired off letters to Karnataka BJP MPs, inviting them to attend the protest which is to be led by state Congress leaders at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday.

A day prior, he and his deputy DK Shivakumar had invited state BJP leaders to attend the protest. He formalized the invitation on Tuesday with the letters.

He wrote the letters to all 40 MPs of Karnataka, 28 of whom are members of the Lok Sabha and the rest are from the Rajya Sabha. Among them were Congress MPs like All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge and DK Suresh.

“You are aware of the constant injustice by the Union government and its discriminatory attitude towards Karnataka. It has been decided that we will protest against this to shed light on the issue. To this effect, we have decided to hold a single-day satyagraha on February 0 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The Deputy Chief Minister, all ministers, MLAs and MPs of the state,” Siddaramaiah wrote.

“The gross injustice in tax devolution of taxes to Karnataka, poor compensation, neglect and delay in giving permission and assistance for various projects are negatively affecting the life of the people in the state,'' he said.