BJP doesn't tolerate irresponsible statements: Nadda on Eshwarappa's saffron flag comment

Eshwarappa had said on February 9 that 'bhagwa dhwaj' (saffron flag) may become the national flag in the future

BJP national president J P Nadda has pulled up Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa for his controversial remarks on the Bhagwa (saffron) flag replacing the tricolour.

In an interview to a private news channel, Nadda said he rebuked Eshwarappa “the way he should be told,” that such statements are wrong. “We believe in the law. We believe in the Constitution and our duty is to protect the Constitution. We are nationalists. We don’t tolerate wrong, irresponsible statements,” Nadda said.

Congress has been campaigning for Eshwarappa’s ouster for his “seditious” statement.

Eshwarappa concurred that Nadda spoke to him. The minister, however, maintained that he had not said anywhere that he or the BJP will hoist the saffron flag in place of the tricolour.

Also read: Eshwarappa asks Congress to end saffron flag issue

“Yes, Nadda brought it up. The CM and law minister have already responded to the Congress’ protest saying there’s nothing wrong in my statement. I have already clarified. I had said I don’t know if a situation will come when the Bhagwa will have to be hoisted in the next 100, 200 or 500 years. I didn’t say we will hoist. I had said then and will say now that whoever insults the national flag is a traitor,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Congress delegation petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking Eshwarappa’s dismissal. They took out a foot march from Vidhana Soudha to Raj Bhavan.

“The Governor is the head of the state who has to uphold the honour and dignity of the Constitution. We requested him to dismiss Eshwarappa. I hope the Governor will dismiss him,” Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said.

“Nadda has vindicated our stand. At least now, the CM should dismiss Eshwarappa,” he added.

‘KSE responsible’

Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar blamed Eshwarappa for the law-and-order situation in Shivamogga.

“Despite Section 144 being in place, a procession of the victim’s dead body was taken out. Eshwarappa and Shimoga MP B Y Raghavendra took part in it. Not only did they violate their own party government’s curbs, but they also witnessed stone pelting and wielding of swords. Is this a civil government,” Siddaramaiah asked.

Shivakumar said Eshwarappa led a procession and “got stones pelted” and that “such traitors are still in the Cabinet.”

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