BANGALORE: Karnataka cable operators, protesting the Udaya network turning into pay, held a rally in Bangalore today.

The cable operators from all districts of Karnataka state under the aegis of the Karnataka Cable TV Operators Association (KSOA) supported by activists from organizations such as Karnataka Sangha, Samatha Seva Sangha also presented a memorandum to the deputy chief minister Siddharamaiah.

Terming the Bangalore Chalo rally as a success, KSOA spokesperson Sudhish Kumar termd the Sun Network's approached as a biased one. "How can Sun not understand the feelings of the Kannada people? While in Tamil Nadu Sun's Tamil channels and in Kerala Surya TV is still free to air, why did they only pick the Kannada channels?" he asked.

"Today, almost all the Karnataka cable operators have blanked out Udaya, except for Bangalore. We shall be meeting the deputy chief minister either tomorrow evening or the day after, once he has more inputs from the I&B officer on the issue. We shall be meeting again tomorrow and charting the future course of action," said Sudhish Kumar.

Refuting the cable operators' claims, Udaya vice president Vijay Kumar said that only one MSO in Davangere was not receiving the signal, and the same would be restored shortly. On being questioned about his reaction to the deputy CM's assurance in looking into the matter, Vijay Kumar reserved his comments hinting a wait and watch approach.