BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde's Remarks On 'Amending Constitution' Spark Row, Congress Slams As Party Distances Itself
As Karnataka BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde's remarking "amending Constitution" drew condemnation from Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, the saffron party distanced itself from the statement.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Karnataka unit on Sunday distanced itself from MP Anantkumar Hegde's remarks on "amending" the Constitution, calling it his personal views, and stressed that it will seek an explanation from him regarding the same. Uttara Kannada BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde sparked a row with a statement on Saturday as he emphasised the necessity for the BJP to secure a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, as well as gain power in over 20 states, to amend the Constitution.
He claimed alleged distortions and additions made to the Constitution by the Congress, suggesting that such changes could only be rectified with a stronger majority.
According to news agency ANI, he said, "They (Congress) have changed the Constitution and brought laws to oppress the entire Hindu society. If all this is to be changed, it will not happen with this minority vote. Both sides need a 2/3 majority. This time PM Modi has said that he should win more than 400 seats. Why 400? We have a majority in the Lok Sabha, but not in the Rajya Sabha. We need 400 seats to make any changes in the Constitution. We need a 2/3 majority in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and also in the states. Just the majority in Lok Sabha is not enough."
Karnataka | Uttara Kannada BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde says, "They (Congress) have changed the Constitution and brought laws to oppress the entire Hindu society. If all this is to be changed, it will not happen with this minority vote. Both sides need a 2/3 majority. This time PM… pic.twitter.com/qltT44z9AL
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024
"If the Constitution has to be amended -- the Congress which fundamentally distorted the Constitution by forcefully filling unnecessary things in it, especially by bringing in laws that were aimed at suppressing the Hindu society -- if all of this has to be changed it is not possible with this (current) majority," he said addressing a gathering in Uttara Kannada district, as quoted by news agency PTI.
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Congress Claims BJP 'Agenda To Impose Dictatorship', Party Distances Itself From Remarks
Reacting to Hegde's comments, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that his remarks "exposes Modi-RSS’ devious agenda to impose dictatorship!"
"Modi Govt, BJP and RSS secretly desire impose Dictatorship, whereby — They will impose their MANUVAADI MINDSET on the people of India and snatch away the rights of SCs, STs and OBC’s. — There will be NO Elections, or at the most, just sham elections. — Independence of institutions shall be curtailed. — Freedom of expression shall be bulldozed. — RSS & BJP will destroy our Secular fabric and unity in diversity. Indian National Congress will NOT ALLOW these ulterior motives of the Sangh Parivar to succeed," he claimed.
BJP MP’s statement that they need 400 seats to rewrite the Constitution, yet again exposes Modi-RSS’ devious agenda to impose dictatorship!
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 10, 2024
Modi Govt, BJP and RSS secretly desire impose Dictatorship, whereby
— They will impose their MANUVAADI MINDSET on the people of India…
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddarahmaiah took to X and wrote, "Our Constitution protects people of every religion equally and provides every citizen the freedom to follow his or her faith. So, what version of Hinduism is Anant Kumar Hegde aiming to protect by altering the Constitution itself? Hegde's statement has exposed the ulterior motives of the BJP to replace Baba Saheb Ambedkar's version of the Constitution with their own, influenced by the Manusmriti. The BJP's version would reinforce the evil practices of the caste system. The BJP will remove all reservations for OBCs and Dalits if they come to power. His statement is a direct attack on OBCs and Dalits."
He demanded exemplary action against the Uttara Kannada BJP citing prior remarks, "If Modi disagrees with Hegde's opinions, he should first expel him from the party. Failing to act against Hegde suggests the Prime Minister's implicit agreement. It seems Modi's public declarations of allegiance to the Constitution are merely superficial."
If Modi disagrees with Hegde's opinions, he should first expel him from the party. Failing to act against Hegde suggests the Prime Minister's implicit agreement. It seems Modi's public declarations of allegiance to the Constitution are merely superficial.
Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar also accused the BJP of being against the Constitution.
"Let him do it, amend the Constitution...this shows that the BJP government (at the Centre) and BJP MP are against the Constitution given by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Let him get it stamped by the Prime Minister," he told reporters in the district headquarters town of Mandya, as quoted by PTI.
In response to Hegde's remarks on changing the constitution, BJP Karnataka took to X and wrote, "MP Shri Ananthkumar Hegde's remarks on the Constitution are his personal views and do not reflect the party's stance." They reiterated their unwavering commitment to upholding the Constitution and asserted that Hegde's remarks do not align with the party's position.
Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia clarified that Hegde's statement represented his personal views and did not reflect the party's official stance.
#WATCH | Delhi: BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia says, "Anantkumar Hegde who is a member of Parliament of the BJP has made a statement. It is imperative that it is made clear: the statement reflects his personal views and is not a statement that reflects the views of the BJP with… https://t.co/D9iXYb8I2k pic.twitter.com/mSHaQdUuOq
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024
"Anantkumar Hegde who is a member of Parliament of the BJP has made a statement. It is imperative that it is made clear: the statement reflects his personal views and is not a statement that reflects the views of the BJP with clarity. The party has taken cognizance of this statement made by Mr Hegde and has also asked for clarification from him. It must be reiterated that every step that is taken by the BJP, every decision that is taken by the BJP is always in the interest of our country and in consonance with the spirit of the constitution," Bhatia said.
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