New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP  Anantkumar Hegde from Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka stirred up a heated controversy against employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited by terming them as 'anti nationals' and 'traitors' who were not willing to work to develop the beleaguered firm. ALSO READ | Govt Scraps BSNL, MTNL 4G Upgradation Tenders Worth Crores; Fresh Tenders Likely To Exclude Chinese Firms

While speaking at an event held on Monday, August 10 in Kumta area of Uttara Kannada, Hegde alleged BSNL employees are traitors who weren't willing to work to develop a well-known firm.

According to the reports, a video from the event has gone viral where the leader could be heard saying, "The government has given money, people require services and there is infrastructure. Yet, they (BSNL employees) don't work.

He went on to say that PM talks of Digital India. There is a lot of money that is pumped into the sector as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of a digital India. The government has provided funds and technology. Yet, they are not willing to work, the leader said.

A Deccan Herald report further quoted Hegde saying "BSNL has become a black mark for the entire country and we will finish it. The central government will introduce disinvestment policy and close BSNL in the coming days."

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The leader further said that the Narendra Modi government is all set to bring in private players to take over the firm. "The centre government will soon repair the telecommunication firm 'filled with traitors' by privatising it," he said.

The leader also added that over 88,000 employees working in the company will soon be fired. "More than 88000 employees will be fired, as government will privatise BSNL," the leader said.