JD(S) legislator from Karnataka's Arasikere in Hassan district, Shivalinge Gowda, on Sunday landed in the midst of a controversy after a video of his speech where he asked people to slap supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi went viral. In the video, MLA Shivalinge Gowda is seen asking JD(S) party workers to slap people who chanted slogans of ‘Modi, Modi”. Shivalinge Gowda was addressing JD(S) party workers in Arsikere when he made the statement.
An edited video of his speech also went viral in which Shivalinge Gowda is heard telling party workers to slap Modi, which was reported by local media. The BJP has lashed out at Shivalinge Gowda's statement and claimed that the legislator's words were a threat to democracy.
"Goonda JDS MLA KM Shivalinge Gowda urged his goons to pelt stones at PM Narendra Modi when he visits Karnataka. Coalition partners are openly issuing threat to kill PM. Clear attempt to wipe out democracy and install dictatorship is made under HD Kumaraswamy's rule," the Karnataka BJP said in a tweet.
What exactly did Shivalinge Gowda say?
Speaking to party workers, Shivalinge Gowda said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made false promises to the farmers across the country.
"Modi said that he would bring back the black money politicians and other rich people had stored in bank accounts and deposit Rs 10 each in the bank accounts of farmers. Why did he not do that? Where is the money? I am telling you to question everything the BJP does. When they come to you and say ‘Modi, Modi,’ slap them," Shivalinge Gowda said.
The legislator also said that Prime Minister Modi had no concern for the farmers of Karnataka, which is why the drought relief funds had not reached the bank accounts of the eligible farmers.
"He banned notes and when the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were returned, all the money was accounted for. Where is the black money? Why did he introduce Rs 2,000 notes? So that people can easily walk around with even Rs 1 lakh in their pocket," he further stated.
Watch the full video: