Bandh war: To counter Congress, BJP calls for shutdown during Rahul's visit to Karnataka

In a tit-for-tat move to the bandh call during BJP President Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits to Karnataka, the party's state unit on Wednesday decided to observe district specific shutdown during Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's state tour.

Pro-Kannada outfits have called for a Karnataka bandh on Thursday when Shah will address a rally in Mysuru and a Bengaluru bandh on February 4, the day Modi arrives here to address a rally.

BJP has termed as "politically motivated" a call for a Karnataka bandh tomorrow and Bengaluru bandh on February 4 by pro-Kannada outfits demanding the Prime Minister's mediation in the inter-state Mahadayi river water dispute with Goa.

The BJP has alleged government's role in the selection of dates when Shah and Modi are expected to visit the poll bound state to take part in 'Nava Karnataka Parivartana Yatre', organised by the state unit.

"We have decided that when Rahul Gandhi comes to Karnataka,we will call for a complete bandh in those districts he will be visiting,"BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa said.

Speaking to reporters in Madikeri, he said the intention was to seek a clarification from Rahul Gandhi about his stand on releasing Mahadayi river water. Rahul Gandhi will kick start his campaign for the coming assembly polls on February 10.

During his three-day visit, the first after being made All India Congress Committee chief, he will address a mega conference and conduct a road show.

Stating that party workers are being informed about the bandh, Yeddyurappa said BJP was not calling for a state-wide bandh, but for a bandh in those districts on the day Rahul Gandhi would visit them.

"Purposefully, a conspiracy has been hatched to project BJP as guilty.I want clarification from the Chief Minister... what is the stand of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi? What is your (CM) stand? Why you have not made efforts to convince the opposition Congress in Goa?" he asked.

Karnataka, which has locked horns with neighbouring Goa on sharing Mahadayi River water, is seeking release of 7.56 tmcft water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)