New Delhi: Karnataka Higher Education Minister CN Ashwath Narayan and Congress Lok Sabha member DK Suresh almost came to blows following an altercation at an event in the presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday. A video of the incident, which happened in full public view, has gone viral on social media.
The incident happened at a government event to unveil the statues of BR Ambedkar and Bengaluru founder Kempegowda in Ramanagara, PTI reported.
During his speech, Narayan, in a veiled attack on Congress, said the BJP government was here to win the trust of the people and not to betray them, and challenged others to prove their work.
The remarks apparently hit a nerve with Suresh, who can be seen in the video barging towards Narayan angrily.
Security personnel and some dignitaries on the stage, including Health Minister K Sudhakar, intervened and separated the two.
Suresh is the younger brother of state Congress chief D K Shivakumar. Soon, Congress MLC S Ravi and Suresh tried to snatch the mike used by Narayan even as the minister forcefully grabbed it back.
Suresh and other Congress leaders subsequently sat down on the stage in protest.
Addressing the gathering, CM Basavaraj Bommai said individual egos should not come in the way of respecting icons like Ambedkar and Kempegowda.
"I have come here to contribute to development. The development will happen with everybody's cooperation and not by one individual....let's all work together for development," PTI quoted Bommai as saying.
Speaking at the event, Suresh said Congress doesn't need to learn culture from Narayan.
"Are you challenging us on the stage? fix the time....what culture is this? Did RSS teach this?.....Don't talk about our culture, we have culture. Mr Ashwath Narayan, we need not learn from you," Suresh said. After the event, Congress workers tore Narayan's posters.
Bommai, speaking to reporters, called the incident unfortunate and said it would in no way affect his government's commitment for the development of Ramanagara district.
Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra sought a report on the incident while condemning the misconduct of Congress leaders.
"Congress leaders' attempt to manhandle Dr Ashwathnarayan in a public meeting is obnoxious. Won't tolerate 'Goonda'culture. Report sought on this," ANI quoted Araga Jnanendra as saying.
Calling it an example of Congress's "goonda culture", Karnataka BJP said "it is ironic that an MP doesn't have the basic sense as to how to behave on the stage, where the Chief Minister is present".
State Congress president DK Shivakumar questioned Narayan's relationship with Ramanagara. "What has he or BJP done for the district? It is sheer arrogance on part of the Minister."