Karnataka Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council BK Hariprasad ignited a controversy by using derogating words against MLAs who had earlier joined BJP in Karnataka. Criticising Minister of Tourism, Ecology and Environment of Karnataka, Anand Singh and other parties MLAs for switching sides, Hariprasad allegedly compared them with “prostitutes”.
Notably, Anand Singh left Congress in 2019 and join the BJP. He was among the 17 MLAs of the then JD(S) and Congress-led coalition Government in Karnataka who resigned from the party and joined the BJP.
While referring to Anand Singh, Hariprasad said, “When you didn’t give a clear mandate, we formed a coalition govt. We call by different names a woman who sells her body for food, we call her a prostitute. I leave it to you what you’ll call MLAs who sold themselves. Teach a lesson to local MLA in polls”.
Without naming Anand Singh, the senior Congress leader added, “You have to teach a lesson to the local MLA who has sold everything including his self-respect.”
When you didn't give clear mandate, we formed coalition govt.We call by different names a woman who sells her body for food,we call her prostitute.I leave it to you what you'll call MLAs who sold themselves.Teach lesson to local MLA in poll: Cong's BK Hariprasad in Hosapete(17.1) pic.twitter.com/NT8ty7CoWN
— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2023
Slamming Hariprasad, BJP leader S Prakash said, “They should not use such low-level words, few days ago, the Congress party compared the CM to a dog, now calling BJP MLAs “prostitutes” shows their culture.”
Prakash further added, “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is claiming that Congress will share the love. Congress leaders give this kind of statement in Karnataka, so I wonder what Rahul Gandhi will say to this.”
Meanwhile, the congress leader later apologised for his statement. “BJP people have twisted and quoted my statement. They are creating unnecessary controversy about sex workers. We have great respect for sex workers. I apologise if they are hurt,” Hariprasad said.
The Congress is currently taking out a state-wide bus tour, ‘Praja Dhwani Yatre’, jointly led by DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, ahead of the state polls.
The bus tour covering 21 districts will see the congress party sharing its ideas with the people and ensure the all-round development of the state. As part of the bus tour, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who are nursing for chief ministerial ambitions, will travel in the same vehicle until January 29.
When asked for a comment, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai hit out at the Congress leader, saying, “See, I can’t react to such a low, cheap statement. This is my reaction.”
