Date:29/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092960230600.htm

Karnataka

BJP Yuva Morcha activists gherao Sangliana

Staff Correspondent

The MP was in Davangere to hold discussions with leaders of Hindu Jagaran Vedike

Protest: H.T. Sangliana, MP, being gheraoed by activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha in Davangere on Sunday. .

DAVANGERE: H.T. Sangliana, MP, was gheraoed by activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha here on Sunday.

Mr. Sangliana, who visited a few churches in Davangere city and a church in Bada village that were attacked recently, had come to the Inspection Bungalow here to meet leaders of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike.

But he could not get out of the car following a demonstration by the BJP Yuva Morcha workers.

Demand

The activists said that Mr. Sangliana should resign as MP.

Mr. Sangliana got out of the car after some time following an assurance by the protesters that they would hear what he had to say.

‘Clarify stance’

But they demanded that Mr. Sangliana clarify his stand on some issues before holding the meeting.

Mr. Sangliana explained the circumstances that led to his joining the BJP. But the Yuva Morcha workers said that he should give them a straight answer, and continued to raise slogans against him. The police took Mr. Sangliana inside the Inspection Bungalow.

Later, the activists of the Yuva Morcha raised slogans against him when Mr. Sangliana was getting into his car.

They demanded that Mr. Sangliana tender an apology for his remarks against Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, Home Minister V.S. Acharya and Minister for Agriculture and Davangere district-charge Minister S.A. Ravindranath. The police intervened and helped Mr. Sangliana’s car leave the place.