Karnataka Minister slams BJP after Opposition leader allegedly calls him a ‘dog'

India Today

22-05-2025

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge hit back at BJP Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who allegedly compared him to a dog. 'After calling me a dog, do you expect me to give Bharat Ratna to him?' Kharge said, claiming the remark reflected the BJP's frustration over his continued political criticism.Referring to Narayanaswamy as 'Manuvadi Narayanaswamy', Kharge accused him of betraying the ideals of Dr BR Ambedkar. 'The dream of equality that Ambedkar envisioned has been trampled by 'Manuvadi Narayanaswamy,' who places himself under the feet of the Sangh Parivar,' he said. He further added, 'A BJP leader in the Upper House who hasn't faced a single election has no right or merit to speak about me, someone who has earned the people's trust and won three times. Let him first contest and win at least one election and prove his merit.'advertisementKharge also accused the BJP of resorting to personal attacks out of frustration in a strongly worded post on X. 'Politically and ideologically unable to target me, the BJP is finding satisfaction in making personal attacks against me out of helplessness,' he wrote.
Kharge said the party's 'hateful statements' were a response to his exposure of major scams during the BJP's tenure, including the Ganga Kalyana scam, Bitcoin scam, Karnataka Kalyana Rajya Drishti Yojana Board scam, Covid-19 scam, and Police Sub-Inspector scam. 'Moreover, their frustration also stems from the fact that I am exposing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologically,' he added.Listing past derogatory remarks directed at him, Kharge noted, 'They have called me a 'convent Dalit', said the name 'Priyank' is unclear, whether male or female, claimed my body has grown but not my intellect, and even said I developed piles because I questioned the BJP. Now, they've gone so far as to call me a 'dog'. All these insults show the BJP's limitless intolerance towards me.'advertisementHe also took aim at the party's alleged hypocrisy. 'If the son of a former chief minister becomes BJP's state president, it's called merit. But if I get elected by the people three times, it's called family influence! Great logic by the BJP!' he said.Meanwhile, Congress workers blocked Narayanaswamy from leaving the guest house in Chittapur, Kalaburagi district, where he was staying during his visit for the Tiranga Yatra. Police deployed heavy security in the area to prevent further escalation.BJP State President BY Vijayendra condemned the incident and called it an 'emergency-like situation'. In a post on X, he wrote, 'The incident where Shri @NswamyChalavadi, who holds a constitutional post and is a leader from the oppressed communities as the Leader of the Opposition, was held under house arrest at the Chittapur guest house is highly condemnable.'He said the Congress had failed to ensure the safety of a constitutional authority, stating, 'The fact that police are unable to protect a Leader of the Opposition is reminiscent of an emergency-like situation.' He added that if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah does not act against those responsible, 'he too becomes complicit in this feudal political culture.'Vijayendra concluded by affirming the BJP's support for marginalised voices. 'The BJP prioritises upholding democratic values and stands firmly in support of protecting leaders like Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who have risen from oppressed communities,' he stated.
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