Yatnal Accuses Congress of Appeasement Politics Over Ganesha Procession Curbs

Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Sunday accused the State government of pursuing appeasement politics, alleging that the administration was targeting Hindus while placating Muslims.

Speaking at a function organised by the Ashram Ka Raja Ganesh Mandal in Vijayapura, he said a police inspector in T. Narsipur had warned young members of a Ganesha Mandal of serious consequences if they took out a procession in front of mosques, burst crackers or played loud music.

Yatnal rejected the restriction and said he would defy such orders. He announced that he would travel to T. Narsipur and take part in the Ganesha immersion procession, adding that participants would carry the procession past mosques, burst crackers, play music and raise slogans.

"This is our country and we will not bow down to any government that follows appeasement policies," he said.

The expelled BJP legislator further warned that the Congress would pay a heavy price for what he described as playing with the sentiments of Hindus through its appeasement policies.