Strongly defending the lathi-charge on BJP workers at Gundlupet during the filing of nominations for Gundlupet Assembly by-poll on Mar.20, Chief  Minister Siddharamaiah has said that the Government  cannot be a mute spectator when there was a threat to law and order.

Replying to the charges made by Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar and MLA C.T. Ravi of the BJP over the issue in the Assembly on Tuesday, Siddharamaiah, justifying the Police action, said that the Police had no alternative to contain the unruly crowd.

Claiming that the BJP leaders had resorted to provocative speeches during the filing of nominations at Gundlupet and this led to the clash between Congress and BJP workers, the CM said that the Police had to cane the unruly BJP activists in order to maintain law and order.

Even as Chief Minister Siddharamaiah defended Police lathi-charge at Gundlupet in the State Assembly, State BJP President B.S. Yeddyurappa has strongly condemned the Police lathi-charge on BJP workers.

Alleging that the Congress was behind the Police lathi-charge, Yeddyurappa accused Siddharamaiah of playing caste politics in order to win the    Assembly by-polls.

Lashing out at Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara for directing the Police to register false cases against BJP workers, he said that people will give a befitting reply to the Congress  in the by-poll.

Asserting that the BJP would certainly come to power in the 2018 Assembly poll, Yeddyurappa warned of action against Policemen who filed false cases against BJP workers.