From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 28: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday claimed that no pro-Pakistan slogans were shouted by anybody in Vidhana Soudha after the Rajya Sabha elections and made it clear that police will not spare anybody if such things had happened.

Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC President and had served as Congress party’s election agent in Tuesday’s counting during the Rajya Sabha polls from the State, clarified that nobody or any supporters of the winning Congress candidate Syed Nasir Hussain had shouted pro-Pakistan slogans as alleged by the opposition parties.

Speaking to media persons before flying off to Himachal Pradesh as part of the trouble-shooting mission for the Congress on the directions of the party high command, he said the BJP and JDS which failed in its strategy of causing upset for the ruling Congress by fielding the fifth candidate knowing fully well that they had no chance are now trying to divert attention through their political gimmicks.

“Police will take action as per law. Anti-national persons or slogans will not be tolerated by the government inside the Vidhana Soudha or outside,’’ he declared.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government has directed the police to conduct an inquiry and take action against the culprits, if any.

“At the same time, we will not spare anybody if it is proved that falase allegations and rumours were being spread,’’ he asserted.

Shivakumar said the party high command has asked him to visit Himachal Pradesh and he was proceeding as asked.

“The BJP is in a hurry to topple 2-3 governments. In a democracy, there is need for a strong opposition. BJP is setting a bad precedent by luring MLAs elected from other parties. I am confident that the Congress MLAs will remain loyal to the Congress party,’’ he said.

MB Patil asserts no tolerance to anti-nationals

Meanwhile, Industries Minister M B Patil has asserted that there was no question of condoning or tolerating pro-Pakistani slogan shouters if the allegation of opposition parties is true.

The supporters of winning Congress candidate Syed Nasir Hussain had shouted slogans in his favour after he was declared elected. There were no pro-Pakistan slogans. Police will investigate and punish the guilty if it was proved that pro-Pakistan slogans were shouted, he said.

The Minister said the Congress party had fought and sacrificed in the freedom struggle and nobody need not teach patriotism or nationalism to Congressmen.

He alleged that BJP is trying to make political capital out of its defeat for the fifth candidate of BJP-JDS alliance. In the past also, many incidents had been reported and the police investigations have proved that Sri Ram Sene, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists were behind such incidents. Police will investigate and punish the guilty, he said.