Mysuru: Taking a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Opposition Leader of Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa accused the CM for not protecting media persons who broke the  story of the  illegal lottery mafia recently through sting operations.

He was reacting to media queries over his stand on the state government’s  alleged move to file cases against the media house, during his visit to city on the occasion of ground breaking ceremony for construction of a new party office for BJP.

He alleged that the state government has failed to protect democratic values in the state by compromising with lobbyists such as illegal sand mining, illegal lottery mafia and Cricket betting etc.

By showing soft corner towards bearers of Popular Front of India (PFI) and Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), the state government has released hundreds of criminals from prison. The state government is protecting anti national elements and criminals who allegedly have link with terrorists of Pakistan, he alleged.

The CM Siddaramaiah also failed to protect sugarcane growers who are in critical condition due to balances of payment from the sugar factory. He has made a statement in 2014 during Belagavi session assuring that he would fulfil their demands within four months. Later, the CM assured to solve the issues within 6 months. But, he never intended to take steps in favour of farmers, the former deputy Chief Minister Eshwarappa said.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha, MP C T Ravi, Former MLA Ramdas, Deputy Mayor Mahadevamma  were present.