As son now sets off a row, calls PM ‘nalayak’, Kharge comes to his defence

Priyank, who had been a minister in the Siddaramaiah government and is seeking re-election from the Chittapur seat, claimed that Modi’s statements at a Gulbarga rally on January 19 had caused “injustice” to the Banjara community. He also referenced the Banjara community’s protests after the changes in the BJP’s internal reservation quotas for SCs.

He said, “What we are saying is that he said he is the son of the Banjara community and created confusion pertaining to the reservation. Did injustice not happen to the Banjara community? Why were stones thrown at (BJP leader BS) Yediyurappa’s house in Shikaripura (in Shivamogga district)? Why was a bandh observed in Kalaburagi and Jewargi?”

He criticised the “confusion surrounding reservation” and urged “people to vote for the Congress to bring clarity on the issue”. Modi had claimed to be a son of the Koli community and the Kabbaliga and Kuruba communities in his earlier visits, Priyank added.

Among the SCs, the internal reservation for the SCs (Left) now stands at six per cent, while it is 5.5 per cent each for SC (Right) and other SCs. This is after the BJP’s move in October last year to increase the reservation for the Scheduled Castes from 15 per cent to 17 per cent. After the move, members of the SC(Right) community – of which Banjaras are also a part – had protested across the state.

Soon after Priyank’s video went viral, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted, “What would Priyank Kharge be doing if he wasn’t Mallikarjun Kharge’s son? It is anybody’s guess! It is quite rich for someone, who is feeding of his father’s name, to call a democratically elected PM ‘nalayak’. It is fine to disagree with the PM, criticise him, but calling him names shows a depraved mind. Junior Kharge should focus on defending his seat and not punch above his weight…”

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said: “In a state of despair of losing the election, he (Priyank) has forgotten his limits. A few days ago, his father withdrew his words. Now, it’s his turn. People will teach them a lesson”.

Later in the day, Shobha Karandlaje, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, filed a complaint with the election commission against Priyank.

Meanwhile, Kharge defended his son.

“No. No. It is very wrong. He never said it. Don’t put these words into his mouth. He attacked the parliament member who abused him (not Modi). So, don’t put these words into his mouth (saying it was meant) for Modi. I am sorry, everywhere this is going on (misquoting) purposely. Morning he (Priyank) condemned it but still you people are asking,” the Congress president said.

Last week, Kharge remark calling Modi “a poisonous snake” had set off counter attacks.

Hitting out at Kharge on Saturday, Modi said he considered it an “honour” to be insulted by the Congress since it has in the past similarly “abused” people like B R Ambekdar and V D Savarkar.

“The Congress has abused me 91 times till now in different ways,” Modi said.

With PTI inputs