Karnataka higher education minister Dr. Ashwath Narayan and Congress’s Bengaluru Rural Member of Parliament DK Suresh, locked horns in a government programme, at Ramanagara, in front of the district office complex on Monday.

The two almost came into blows in front of the public when security guards intervened and prevented them to take it further. Incidentally, the scuffle broke out in front of chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and it was Bommai’s first visit to the district as a chief minister. 

The event was organised to unveil the statues of Dr B R Ambedkar and Bengaluru founder Kempegowda.

The brawl began after the education minister commented on the objections raised by Congress party workers. Apparently, Narayan made veiled attacks on Congress leaders and listed out achievements of the BJP government. “Only getting votes, but doing nothing…that’s not what we’re here to do. We’re here to bring development to the people of Ramanagara. We are not people who’ll lay our hands on someone’s land.” Narayan said.

“What are you shouting for,” he asked the crowd. “When a chief minister is visiting, are you shouting slogans just to tarnish the reputation of our district? If you are a real man, show what work you have done, instead of forming a gang to disrupt the event,” he said. “We’ll tell you what we’ve done. We’re not here to cheat this district. We’re here to win your confidence and serve.”

We’re not here to cheat this district. We’re here to win your confidence and serve.” Bommai had then gestured at Narayan to conclude the speech. But, Suresh had had enough.

Amid the scuffle, CM Bommai took the microphone to pacify the crowd and assure that individual egos should not come in the way of respecting Ambedkar and Kempegowda. “I have come here to contribute to development. And, development will happen with everybody’s cooperation and not by one individual,” he said, urging not to mix politics with development.

Suresh then accused Narayan of hampering the establishment of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) in the district. “If there’s anyone responsible for the delay, it is Narayan who is blocking it,” he said. “If Ramanagara’s silk has become more valuable, it’s not because of the BJP. Despite political differences, we have always worked together in the interest of the people of this district,” he said.

Suresh was joined by Congress’ Bangalore Rural MLC S Ravi, who even tried to throw the microphone to prevent Narayan from speaking. Later, Suresh the lone Congress Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka, sat down on the stage to protest against the incident.

The Vokkaliga-dominated Ramanagara district where the two parties; Congress and JD(S) are the main players has been on the BJP’s radar from a very long time. Narayan, a Vokkaliga, has been trying to help the BJP infiltrate the district and throw away Suresh and his brother KPCC president D K Shivakumar from their positions.

Source: Deccan Herald, Udayavani

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