Mangaluru
The controversy surrounding City North MLA Y Bharath Shetty’s comment on Rahul Gandhi has escalated, with Congress and BJP leaders engaging in a war of words despite the City Police registering an FIR against Shetty.
Congress spokesperson AC Vinayaraj criticized MLA Shetty, stating that he lacks the moral authority to critique Rahul Gandhi. Vinayaraj accused Shetty of making baseless criticisms without understanding the context of Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary speech. He also questioned Shetty’s silence on various local issues, including the installation of a fibre statue instead of a bronze one at Parashurama Theme Park in Karkala and remarks made against Hindu deities by former ministers.
Vinayaraj further demanded answers from Shetty regarding the rejection of Sri Narayana Guru’s tableau at the Republic Day ceremony and other local controversies, warning of strong responses from party workers to future irresponsible statements.
In response, BJP MLC Prathap Simha Nayak defended MLA Shetty’s remarks and redirected focus on alleged corruption under the state government. Nayak accused the government of involvement in scandals related to the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and the MUDA scam.
