Mangaluru : Condemning the state government decision to the entry restricted for VHP leader Praveen Togadia, Opposition leader in Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa alleged Chief minister Siddaramaiah of oppressing freedom of speech.

Speaking at the press conference on Saturday, February 7 at BJP district office, Eshwarappa said that the government is following in the footsteps of Indiria Gandhi. She tried to control freedom of speech during the Emergency and lost power at the centre.

The state will also meet the same fate. The Congress government oppressing Hindus and trying to please the minority communities, he alleged.

Togadia entering the city banned from February 5 to 11 on the grounds that his provocative and inflammatory speeches would have grave consequences and there was likelihood of breach of peace.

Eshwarappa said, we respected the High Court order on Togadia ban, but none of the allegation against him have been proved so far, he said.

Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, BJP State Vice President Sulochana Bhat, BJP district unit President Prathap Simha Nayak, former minister J Krishna Palemar, former MLA N Yogish Bhat and other BJP leaders were present.