Gowda stages dharna near CMs residence

BANGALORE: Defying prohibitory orders, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda staged a sit-on-dharna near Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s residence, protesting his apathy to Hassan district.Gowda charged the BJP government of  deliberately neglecting developmental works in his home district, as part of political vendetta. The JD(S) leader was stopped by the police, who were present in large numbers, when he arrived near the Race Course Road residence of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to stage dharna. They were in a dilemma over arresting him for defying the prohibitory orders which were issued in and around the CM’s residence as a precautionary measure.Protesting the police action for clamping down prohibitory orders, Gowda insisted to sit on dharna along with four other party leaders as law prevents five or more persons to assemble.However, police personnel allowed him to stage dharna near the entrance of the CM’s abode for over two hours. Principal Secretary I N S Prasad and Secretary Laxminarayana assured Gowda that they would look into the matter. They also handed over a letter of assurance to Gowda to persuade him to withdraw his agitation.Earlier, Gowda garlanded Mahathma Gandhi’s bust located near Ananda Rao Circle, in the presence of other party leaders and legislators.Police personnel took JD(S) Floor Leader H D Revanna and other leaders into custody and let them off in the evening.