Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar alleged on Saturday that the Opposition BJP has been attempting to divert public attention from the original issue of MLC C.T. Ravi allegedly making derogatory remarks against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
By claiming ill-treatment of Mr. Ravi by the police after his arrest in Belagavi, the State BJP leadership was supporting the MLC “to cover up his use of a derogatory word”, the KPCC president said.
“The main issue is his use of language and his culture,” Mr. Shivakumar told reporters here, in response to a question on the High Court ordering Mr. Ravi’s release on Friday.
Mr. Ravi claimed he had not used derogatory remarks against Ms. Hebbalkar during the heated exchange in the Legislative Council after it was adjourned by Chairman Basavaraj Horatti. Mr. Hotatti too claimed there was no evidence to prove the matter in the official records of the House.
Noting that conscience is important, Mr. Shivakumar said, “If anyone had used such words in my party, I would have condemned it… R. Ashok (Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly) is supporting him, he is party to the crime,” he told reporters here.
In reply to a question about police action against Mr. Ravi and allegations that he pressured the police, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “It is a police matter. I don’t know… For everything that happens, they hold me responsible… They don’t seem to get sleep without remembering me.”
Published – December 21, 2024 08:06 pm IST