Yeddyurappa and Hundreds of BJP workers taken into custody

Other senior party leaders taken into custody included Lok Sabha member Shobha Kharandlje, former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashok and former Minister S Suresh Kumars.

They were taken to undisclosed place by three buses. The BJP had launched state-wide agitation in protest against the State government celebrating Tipu Jayanti alleging that the Mysore ruler had indulged in conversion of people to Muslim community and indulged in atrocities at Kodagu and Madikerei. Addressing the gathering, Yeddyurappa challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to prove that he had spoken appreciating Tipu Sultan. Tipu was not a freedom fighter. Siddaramaiah alleged yesterday that Mr Yeddyurappa, when he had quit BJP and floated Karnataka Janata Party (KJP), had lauded the role played by Tipu and had even worn turban, but after returning to BJP he had changed the cap. It showed how he could change his stand for political gains.

Police had elaborate bandobust through out the State to maintain law and order and prohibitory orders have been clamped in Kolar and Kodagu District as precautionary measure. CCTVs were fixed at vulnerable places and personels from CPRF, KSRP, and Paramilitary forces were deployed at District Headquarters in the State. At Tumkur, some miscreants burnt tyres on the highway in an attempt to disrupt vehicle movement. However, police took immediate action to clear the road.

At Gadag, BJP workers were taken to custody when they tried to enter the Deputy Commissioner office by taking out protest march with black flags. The authorities have banned taking out protest marches through out the State.