'Pro-Pak slogan' charge: Siddu assures stern action

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The alleged raising of pro-Pakistan slogans by supporters of a winning Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections created a political furore in Karnataka on Wednesday, with the opposition BJP demanding the resignation of the Siddaramaiah government Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said serious action would be taken against those who allegedly raised the 'Pakistan zindabad' slogan inside the 'Vidhana Soudha', which houses the state legislature and secretariat, if the investigation found the charge to be true.

When Congress workers were celebrating Syed Naseer Hussain's victory in the Rajya Sabha elections here on Tuesday, it is alleged, some people shouted 'Pakistan zindabad' slogans.

The BJP lodged a police complaint on the issue, and staged protests in several parts of the State, including Belagavi, Chitradurga and Mandya, on Wednesday, condemning the Congress government.

"If the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) report proves that the slogan raised in favour of Pakistan is true, serious action will be taken in this regard. There is no question of protecting those who raised slogans in favour of Pakistan," the Chief Minister told reporters.

The issue also rocked the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly and Council.

Opposition BJP staged a protest in the Assembly, demanding the Congress government's resignation for its "inaction" in nabbing the culprits who shouted the alleged slogans and accused it of trying to shield those behind it, which was met with a rebuttal from the ruling side.