Inadvertent slips of the tongue happen to all of us. But when you’re a political leader attacking the rival party at a press conference called just minutes after the Election Commission had announced Assembly Elections, a gaffe can become an embarrassing self-goal.
Addressing the media in Bengaluru on Tuesday, BJP President Amit Shah said, “If there was ever a competition for corruption, then the Yeddyurappa government would get the number 1 position.” Except the BJP chief really meant to hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. BJP MP Prahlad Joshi, who was sitting next to Amit Shah, was quick to point out the blunder to the party President, even as state chief BS Yeddyurappa, who was also present, was left red-faced.
An embarrassed Yeddyurappa also reminded Amit Shah that he should have said that the Siddaramaiah government was number one in corruption.
Upon realising his error, Amit Shah corrected himself and said, “Arre, Siddaramaiah government is number one in corruption.”
But the Congress was swift to pick up on the BJP chief’s slip of the tongue. Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister thanked Amit Shah for speaking the truth.
The #ShahOfLies finally speaks truth. Thank you @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/WczQdUfw5U
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 27, 2018
However, it wasn’t Amit Shah’s first gaffe, as Congress’ Social Media and Communication Head Divya Spandana pointed out. Accusing the Karnataka government of not doing enough to improve infrastructure or irrigation, Amit Shah recently wondered the money went. Except instead of taking Siddaramaiah’s name, the BJP chief slipped up, stating, “Also Yeddyurappa says that the BJP does not help for the growth of Karnataka.”
This isn’t the first time btw- what exactly are Amit Shah’s feelings towards yedyurappa? All’s not good in the hood- pic.twitter.com/cVzGtsOIz3
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) March 27, 2018
On Tuesday, the Election Commission announced the Karnataka Assembly Election dates, with polling take place on May 12 and counting on May 15. The state will see a three-cornered fight between the Congress, the BJP and the JDS.