Verbal spat: Chalavadi complains to Legislative Council chairman

Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday moved a breach of privilege motion before Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti for reported “intimidation” by Congress workers in Kalaburagi. 

On Wednesday, addressing reporters in Kalaburagi, Narayanaswamy had likened Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge to a dog. Following this, there were protests at Priyank’s constituency
Chittapur, where the LoP alleged “intimidation.”

‘Take action’

He was joined by BJP MLC K S Naveen and others, who announced in a press meeting earlier on Friday that they would urge the Council Chairman to take action.

Priyank and Narayanaswamy have been involved in public spats for a while, including a recent fight on who was responsible for B R Ambedkar’s defeat in the 1952 Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to reporters at the Vidhana Soudha after submitting the complaint, Narayanaswamy said: “In the Chairman’s absence, we submitted the complaint to his personal secretary. I have spoken to him over the phone and he has assured of immediate action. I had quoted a proverb about dogs barking when an elephant walks. After listening to seniors, I expressed regret, but his statements asking whether I should be awarded show his impertinence.”

The LoP said he would participate in the “Kalaburagi Chalo” protest on Saturday to oppose “hooliganism,” “atrocities,” and “unconstitutional acts” of Priyank Kharge.