Date:03/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/03/stories/2008100356020800.htm

Karnataka

Minister not allowed into Idgah Maidan

Staff Correspondent

Naik’s supporters too were not allowed
The Minister was earlier in the JD(S)

Raichur: Minister for Mass Education and Public Libraries K. Shivangouda Naik faced some embarrassing moments when he was asked by a moulvi not to enter the Idgah Maidan at Deodurga town while worshippers were offering prayers on Id-ul-Fitr.

According to reports, the Minister accompanied by some of his followers reached the Idgah Maidan at Deodurga on Thursday morning to greet people of the Muslim community and take part in the prayers.

Stopped

However, he was stopped at the entrance of the Idgah Maidan by the moulvi stating that he has no right to greet them or take part in the prayer.

His followers were also not allowed inside the Idgah Maidan.

There is a feeling among the Muslims that the Bharatiya Janata Party is anti-minority.

Mr. Naik who elected to the Assembly from Deodurga constituency on the Janata Dal (Secular) ticket later crossed over to the Bharatiya Janata Party and became Minister.

It was felt that Mr. Naik, though a Minister, was not an elected representative now.

‘Conspiracy’

When contacted, Mr. Naik alleged that the Congress had hatched a conspiracy against him to malign his image in the constituency when byelections were around the corner.