Bengaluru

HorticultureMinister S S Mallikarjun has come under criticism over a purported video in which he allegedly uses objectionable language against BJP MLA B P Harish at a public gathering in Davanagere district. The incident reportedly took place recently during the inauguration of a veterinary centre in Harihar town, where farmers approached the minister seeking water supply to the constituency.

In the video, the farmers can be seen approaching Mallikarjun and telling him that they had raised the issue with local MLA Harish, whom they referred to as “Harish anna” (elder brother), but were allegedly asked to approach their “Sahukaar”—the minister.

Mallikarjun immediately questioned why Harish was being referred to as “anna” and allegedly made remarks against the BJP legislator that were considered objectionable and unparliamentary. The purported video has since gone viral on social media, drawing criticism from BJP leaders and triggering a political controversy. Reacting to the controversy, Mallikarjun said on Wednesday that he had only told the farmers who met him that Harish was not a suitable person to be addressed as “anna”.

“What have I said? I have said nothing. When the farmer referred to Harish as anna, I only questioned the farmer’s age. That’s all. I told him: You are elderly; why are you addressing him (the MLA) as ‘anna’? Instead, refer to eligible people as ‘anna’, as he (the MLA) was not a suitable person to be addressed as ‘anna’,” he told reporters. Accusing Mallikarjun, who is the Davanagere district in-charge, of using “vulgar” words against him and behaving “rashly” with farmers when they sought Bhadra river water for irrigation, Harish said people would teach the minister a lesson in the future. He said he would discuss the matter with BJP leaders and decide on taking any further action. “Karnataka BJP is behind me against SS Mallikarjun,” he added. BJP state President B Y Vijayendra, hitting out at Mallikarjun, demanded that the minister publicly apologise. “When a person from a prominent family background speaks so irresponsibly about an elected MLA, it is not merely an insult to Harish; it is an insult to the people of the entire constituency. Minister Mallikarjun must immediately publicly apologise to the MLA and the people of the constituency,” he said on Tuesday evening.