With the assembly elections in the state just a few months away, a political tussle has erupted in Karnataka, which is expected to be nothing less than a thrilling thriller. As barbs fly between political leaders and their parties, the public is enjoying the entertainment.
With the political temperature rising, here is a list of ‘eye for an eye’ statements made by politicians in Karnataka:
‘Puppy trembling in front of Modi’
Let us begin with the latest attack by Leader of the Opposition and former Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The veteran leader courted controversy when he called current Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai “a puppy who trembles before Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.
Siddaramaiah was speaking at a public meeting in Ballari on Wednesday when he made the comparison, which left the audience in splits. He challenged Bommai to bring “Rs 5,490 crore, which is Karnataka’s share as recommended in the interim report of the 15th Finance Commission”. He accused the government of not fulfilling even 10 per cent of the 600 election promises made by the BJP.
While there were swift and swift reactions with BJP leaders demanding an immediate apology from Siddaramaiah, it was Bommai’s response that seemed to grab headlines again.
Calling himself a “loyal dog working in the service of the people, unlike others who lie and break the society”, the chief minister retorted: “I am working honestly for the state.”
Bommai further elaborated on why he took the excavation as a badge of honor and not an insult.
“A dog is supposed to be a very loyal animal. It is not only loyal to its owner and caretaker, but it also has a duty to prevent people from robbing the house. I am a loyal dog but I will make sure That I don’t go beyond limits as I have been given power and authority. I don’t care what others say,” he said.
The animal analogies continued within the BJP as state revenue minister R Ashok came to Bommai’s rescue and called Siddaramaiah a ‘mouse’.
“He (Siddaramaiah) behaves like a rat in front of Sonia Gandhi and Congressmen behave like slaves of Gandhi. They have to wait for days to get an appointment,” commented Ashok.
State Transport Minister B Sriramalu questioned the Congress leader whether comparing the chief minister to a dog was part of the party’s culture. In Sonia Gandhi’s house, I can call you a mouse, cat or even a cockroach. The words you speak are the reflection of your culture.
‘Karnataka becomes ATM’
It was a blistering attack against the opposition by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his two-day visit to the state last week. Addressing a public rally in Mandya, Shah sounded the poll bugle in the Vokkaliga bastion – a community that usually favors the Congress and the JDS during elections.
He described the Congress as dynastic and the JD(S) a family affair which is “communal, casteist and criminal”. “Karnataka acts as an ATM for a dynasty when the Congress is in power and an ATM for a family when the JD(S) is in power,” the minister said.
Defending his family and party, JDS leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said: “India was the BJP’s ATM”. “The business run by the BJP is on per cent. The whole world knows the business of 40 per cent commission. Doesn’t Mr. Amit Shah know this?” He asked.
Describing Shah’s remarks as ‘dirty’, Kumaraswamy said that the game of politicians does not work in front of him. He quipped, “Amit Shah is not even equal to HD Deve Gowda’s toe nails.”
He also questioned the eligibility of Jai Shah (Amit Shah’s son) to be the secretary of the Board of Control. Cricket in India (BCCI). “He is in the Indian Cricket Board. What was his contribution to cricket? he questioned.
milk boiling emotions
Shah’s statement sparked another panic over the coming together of two milk cooperatives in Mandya – Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which owns the brand Nandini, and Gujarat-based Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL).
Soon, Bommai and Cooperation Minister ST Somashekar were in damage control mode and clarified that the statement did not mean a merger of the two entities.
In his speech, Shah suggested that both Amul and Nandini could create a ‘White Revolution’ as they are excellent examples of successful cooperatives working for the benefit and welfare of the milk producer in the country.
Kumaraswamy, however, termed it as a ploy to make Kannadigas ‘slaves of Gujarat’.
Shah’s statement comes at a time when the BJP is trying to make inroads in the old Mysore region, where the top five district milk unions are located.
“The corporates of Gujarat are now eyeing the duck that laid the golden egg. This is their (BJP’s) attempt to loot Karnataka.
As the war of words continues, Karnataka is heading towards a political potboiler with each party trying to hit out at the other – unfortunately at a time when they need to show their development report card to the voters and win back their confidence. Must try.
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