Congress leader BK Hariprasad gets party notice for remarks against Siddaramaiah

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sep 13, 2023: Senior Congress leader and MLC BK Hariprasad received a show-cause notice from the party’s Disciplinary Action Committee over his "anti-Siddaramaiah" remarks. The notice was issued in the context of his recent dig against the Karnataka Chief Minister, in which he called him a "fake socialist".

 

Hariprasad has been asked to provide an explanation for his remarks within 10 days.

On Saturday, September 9, Hariprasad took a veiled dig at Siddaramaiah, stating that Dalits and those from other backward classes are not given ministerial berths in his cabinet.

Addressing a convention in Bengaluru, Hariprasad took potshots at Siddaramaiah, without naming him. He said, "People wearing a Hublot watch and a panche (dhoti) cannot claim to be Samajwadi. Samajwad (socialism) means equality for all."

He also said, "People from backward classes were removed from the Deputy Chief Minister post, and importance was given to people of his own caste."

He was talking about Dr G Parameshwara, who earlier served at the Deputy CM of Karnataka, but was not retained for the post when Congress came to power in 2023.

"Dr G Parameshwara is a dalit who has been the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief for the longest time. He is worthy of being the CM in every way, but forget being made the CM, he has not even retained the Deputy CM post he had held earlier," Hariprasad had said.

Hariprasad also expressed displeasure over ST leader Satish Jarkiholi not being considered for Deputy Chief Minister’s post. His remarks seem to have created unease within the ruling party in Karnataka.

Industries Minister M B Patil on Tuesday criticised Hariprasad for openly speaking against Siddaramaiah.

He said, "Hariprasad is a senior leader. He can speak with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Randeep Surjewala, KC Venugopal, directly. He has contacts, he can air his grouses with them. Speaking at other platforms is not right for his stature."

Besides, Congress MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy also said Hariprasad should directly talk to the Congress high command about his disgruntlement.

Courtesy: India Today