Date:27/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/27/stories/2008092750620300.htm

Karnataka

Congress party office in Chitradurga vandalised

Staff Correspondent

Siddaramaiah’s supporters go on the rampage

Party workers allege continuous neglect, lack of opportunities for growth
Protesters burn files, destroy furniture and try to block vehicular movement

Destroyed: The ransacked Congress office in Chitradurga on Friday.

Chitradurga: Several supporters of Congress leader Siddaramaiah vandalised the District Congress Committee office here on Friday, protesting against the party high command’s decision not to make him Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president. The angry supporters burnt several files, destroyed furniture and broke the windowpanes.

The protesters later proceeded to Mahatma Gandhi Circle to vent their ire. They tried to block traffic, but the police arrested 20 people, who were later released.

Speaking to presspersons, Mallikarjun, a city municipal councillor who led the protest, accused the Congress of sidelining members of the backward community by not making Mr. Siddaramaiah KPCC president. “This attitude shows how the party has neglected the backward classes,” he said and added that there were no opportunities for growth.

He warned that people of the community would teach the party a lesson in the coming Assembly byelections.

The District Congress Committee office here has been vandalised in the past too. The office was damaged during the recent Assembly elections.

When former district party president R. Majunath was denied ticket to contest from Hiriyur taluk, his supporters damaged the office and burnt files. Similar actions were carried out during the last zilla panchayat elections when supporters of various members ransacked the office alleging discrimination while giving party ticket.