Mysuru: Local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have explicitly stated that they have no plans to stage a protest during the highly anticipated inauguration of the Dasara festival this Monday, held atop the sacred Chamundi Hills. This assurance comes despite earlier vocal objections regarding the choice of writer Banu Mushtaq as the inaugurator.
During a press conference held on Sunday, T.S. Srivatsa, the BJP MLA for Krishnaraja, addressed the media’s questions directly. He acknowledged that the party had previously voiced concerns about writer Banu Mushtaq, who is slated to commence the Dasara festivities. However, Srivatsa emphasized the party’s commitment to the spirit of the event. “We will definitely participate in the festival,” he affirmed, highlighting Dasara’s significance as a major state celebration that draws people from across Karnataka and beyond. “There will be no protest from the BJP,” he reiterated.
Echoing Srivatsa’s sentiments, Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, also present at the conference, further clarified that the BJP had not planned any demonstrations during the inauguration ceremony. He explained that the party’s initial opposition stemmed from Ms. Mushtaq’s alleged remarks made in 2023, which reportedly included controversial comments about the Kannada flag and the revered deity Bhuvaneshwari.
Wadiyar concluded by saying, “Tomorrow, we will closely observe how she conducts herself during the offering of floral tributes and her inaugural speech. Should her behavior be respectful and not cause offense, that in itself will serve as a satisfactory clarification to our concerns.”