BJP to install Savarkar's portrait in Karnataka assembly; Opposition stages protest
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Belagavi: The opposition in Karnataka staged a protest on Monday against the state BJP's decision to install a portrait of controversial freedom fighter V.D Savarkar in Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, the state legislative assembly.
Condemning the proposed move of installing Savarkar's picture right behind the Speakers' Chair, senior Congress MLAs, including the Opposition leader of Siddaramaiah, state party President D.K. Shivakumar staged a protest in the Assembly.
The ruling BJP is all set to unveil photographs, including that of Savarkar, inside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Monday, the first day of the session.
The protests before the commencement of the session is indicative of a stormy winter session. This is the last session for the ruling BJP as the elections are scheduled to be held in three months.
In a letter, Siddramaiah had urged Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri to install photographs of social reformers, saints and great personalities like Maharshi Valmiki, Basavanna, Kanakadasa, Shishunala Sharif, Narayanaguru, Ambedkar, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Kuvempu and Vallabh Bhai Patel instead.
He maintained that through these photographs, legislators and the common public will get inspiration. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai after arriving in Belagavi commented on the controversy of Veer Savarkar's photo in Suvarna Soudha maintained that it is the discretion of the Speaker of the house.
CM Bommai also maintained that he would discuss the matter with the Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri and Siddaramaiah.
-IANS Inputs