CM dares BJP MLA on knowledge of Kannada grammar in House

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday surprised members cutting across parties in the Legislative Assembly when he displayed his hold over Kannada grammar.

When BJP MLA Y A  Naray­anaswamy complained in the Assembly that Kannada was suffering as a result of the trend of parents admitting their children to private English schools, Siddaramaiah sought to know whether his children studied in a private or government school.

“Do you have children? Where did your children study?...Why do you think only your children should study in convents?” he asked. Members burst into laughter when the BJP MLA mumbled an answer.

When BJP members, including Narayanaswamy, said it was a question of protecting Kannada, the chief minister, who is known for his witty retorts, then sought to know how many of them knew Kannada grammar. “A majority of you don’t know Kannada grammar...Do you (Narayanaswamy) know what is a sandi  (in Kannada grammar)?” he asked.

Siddaramaiah proved Narayanaswamy wrong when the latter replied saying that are two types of sandis. The chief minister dropped complicated names of all sandis and even explained some of them. “I have studied in a government school. My Kannada teacher taught grammar so well that even today I clearly remember it...But I am aware that the quality of teaching is not up to the mark now,” he stated.

K S Puttanaiah (Ind) jocularly said, “You (Siddaramaiah) passed through many sandis (also means passages) to become chief minister.” The chief minister retorted saying, “You too do the same.”