Cong brawl: Ganesh says sorry

Congress’ Kampli legislator JN Ganesh apologized on Monday for a drunken brawl that left fellow party MLA Anand Singh injured.

Ganesh, however, denied having attacked Singh with a liquor bottle or having bit his gunman’s ear, as was reported by a section of media.

“I didn’t do this deliberately,” Ganesh said. “There was a verbal duel, an argument, between Singh and (Hagaribommanahalli) MLA Bheema Naik. I went to reconcile and some things, wrong things, happened. I want to apologize to Singh and his family,” he said.

Ganesh did not say what led to the brawl despite repeated queries. “One thing led to another,” he said. Asked how Singh sustained injuries, Ganesh said: “Singh fell down automatically. I don’t know if that was because he was drunk. Well, drinking is common and I don’t want to comment on that.”

Singh, who represents the Vijayanagar constituency in the Ballari district, was allegedly attacked by fellow Ganesh during a late Saturday night/Sunday wee hours dinner at the Eagleton Resort. “Personally, Anand Singh is like my elder brother. My family has known him for the past 15-20 years. We respect and trust him,” Ganesh said.

It is said that Bheema Naik picked up a fight with Singh over local Ballari issues, which broadened to include the attempt by the BJP to pull out some Congress MLAs. Ganesh was reportedly furious over Singh deposing before top Congress leaders to reveal names of legislators who were in touch with the BJP.

Singh was rushed to a hospital with an injury to his head, face and left-side of the chest. He also had a black eye and nasal blood clot.