Shivamogga: BJP is gearing up for a massive protest both inside and outside the legislative assembly during the upcoming session, targeting the state govt over several key issues and alleged failures, Shivamogga City MLA SN Channabasappa said on Tuesday.Speaking to reporters, he said the contours of the agitation were finalised at the BJP Legislature Party meeting held under the leadership of state president BY Vijayendra and leader of the opposition R. Ashoka. District-level action committees are also being formed to strengthen the statewide protest.He criticised recent statements by senior leaders that defended the reinduction of B Nagendra into the cabinet, citing the absence of an FIR or bail-related restrictions. Channabasappa urged those holding high constitutional positions to speak with caution and responsibility, noting that remarks made by leaders at the top set a precedent for party workers at the grassroots level.The MLA also strongly criticised the state govt’s ongoing re-verification of social security pensions. He questioned why widow, old-age, and disability pensions, which have been extended to beneficiaries for years, had been halted for the past five to six months under the guise of verification.Alleging large-scale disruptions in pension disbursal, Channabasappa claimed that nearly 6,000 of the approximately 12,000 pension beneficiaries in the Shivamogga City constituency had their pensions suspended or discontinued. He said the move had pushed senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities into severe financial distress.
