Congress MLA Shivalinge Gowda regrets remark on BJP lawmaker's wife in Karnataka Assembly

Bengaluru: Congress MLA from Arasikere, Shivalinge Gowda, on Thursday expressed regret for his remarks in the Assembly referring to the wife of a BJP legislator Sharanu Salagar, but maintained that he was provoked by continuous personal attacks from BJP members during the proceedings.

“I only said he had become an MLA only because of his tahsildar wife. I was wrong to drag women into our fight. I regret speaking about his wife. Beyond that, I have no other regrets about the words I spoke against BJP leaders,” said Gowda, during a press conference in Bengaluru.

Gowda was referring to his outburst against the BJP legislators in the Assembly on Wednesday, when the BJP and JDS were protesting in the well of the House demanding the resignation of the excise minister over an alleged excise scam. Gowda, who was speaking in favour of the resolution (against VB-G Ram G) was irked by the constant slogan shouting by the opposition leaders.

“BJP members disrupted my speech, made personal comments and called me a thief. They were jumping around in the House. I asked the LOP if he was conducting a mimicry show and told them to stop behaving like monkeys,” he said, adding that his language was “colloquial” and not uncivilised.

“I am a member for the last 20 years and have never spoken anything offensive or hurtful to anyone. The media should show both sides (of the story). Everyone heard me shout at them as my mike was on. But nobody heard or saw how they provoked me as they were in the well,” he rued.

Denying allegations that he insulted the RSS, Gowda said he respected it as a “disciplined” organisation and that his remarks were directed at BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath for repeatedly interrupting him. “I told Kamath that he was bringing a bad name to RSS. In the heat of the moment, my choice of words may have been unpleasant,” he said.

He rejected BJP’s charge that he had “betrayed” JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda, saying he quit the party as per the wishes of his supporters. “Why single me out for party hopping,” he asked.