Jagadish Shettar on Slapgate: Cong fears backlash, so it is shielding the MLA

BANGALORE: The BJP has stalled proceedings in both Houses of the Karnataka legislature on Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar's issue. When the Houses meet on Monday, opposition leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar told TOI on Friday that the party would ensure that closure to the issue would depend on developments as the MLA has applied for anticipatory bail. What is BJP strategy on Kashappanavar with the government going on the offensive? The BJP will strongly take it up in the legislature. A common man is arrested soon after an FIR is filed. Why should there be a differential treatment for VIPs and MLAs? Home minister KJ George has said it is a small incident. This is nothing but an attempt to hush up the case. Police morale has come down due to this incident. The police will lose faith in their masters if the government makes an attempt to protect the accused. Will staging dharnas help in taking the issue to its logical end? Yes. Dharna in the legislature will keep pressure on the government to take action. What would you have done if you were in CM's position? I would have said on the floor of the legislature that no one will be protected. Give a free hand to the police and set a time-frame for action to be taken. Do you feel government is shielding the MLA? The government is definitely making an attempt to shield the accused. The government may be fearing a backlash from the Congress party and its superiors. This apart, legislators should also be kept in good humour. Should there be a code of conduct for elected representatives in public? It is in place already but should be followed at every stage and every hour. First time MLAs particularly need to be sensitive and respect the code of conduct. -TOI