No plans to hold protest during Dasara inauguration, says BJP leaders in Mysuru

BJP MLA for Krishnaraja T.S. Srivatsa denied that the party was planning to hold a protest during the inauguration of Dasara festival atop Chamundi Hills on Monday.

Fielding queries at a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Srivatsa pointed out that the party had raised its voice against the conduct of writer Banu Mushtaq, who is scheduled to inaugurate the Dasara festival. “But, we will participate in the festival,” he said, while pointing out that Dasara was a State festival attracting people from different parts of the State and country. “There will be no protest from the BJP,” he said.

MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who also present at the press conference, also denied that the BJP had planned to hold a protest during the inauguration.

However, he said the party leaders had objected to Ms. Mushtaq inaugurating the festival in view of her reported comments against Kannada flag and deity of Bhuvaneshwari during a speech in 2023. “Tomorrow, we will see how she conducts herself during the offering of floral tributes and her speech. If she behaves in a way that does not hurt out feelings, that itself will be a clarification,” he said.