Karnataka Congress leader Rajeev Gowda under fire for ‘threatening’ woman municipal commissioner

In the purported audio clip of a conversation between the two, the commissioner can be heard saying that a banner put up by Rajeev Gowda was taken down after public complaints. (Photo: Instagram/Rajeev Gowda)

Karnataka Congress leader Rajeev Gowda is under fire for allegedly abusing and threatening an official for removing an “unauthorised” banner at Shidlaghatta in the Chikkaballapur district. Employees of the Shidlaghatta city municipal council staged a demonstration outside their office on Wednesday, demanding action against the Congress leader for allegedly threatening Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda.

When Amruta explained that the banner had caused an accident due to which there was a complaint, he asked, “How will you remove the banner if there is a complaint?”

He allegedly shouted expletives at the official, demanding that the banner be returned to its original location. The official responded by stating that the banner was placed in the middle of the road without permission. “We will be responsible if an accident takes place,” she said even as Congress leaders threatened to gather people in front of the municipal council office over the issue.

Rajeev Gowda has denied the allegations, saying the banner was displayed with the authorities’ permission. He also claimed that the authorities repeatedly removed his banners.

“What I meant was that since you (the commissioner) have removed my banner, which had permission, I will set fire to those banners put up without permission. I did not say I will set her on fire,” he told a Kannada news channel.

He claimed that none of the expletives heard in the audio was aimed at the official, adding that Amruta was like a sister to him. “I would like to apologise if I am at fault,” said Rajeev, who unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls from the Sidlaghatta Assembly constituency in 2023 and came third.

The BJP and JD(S) hit out at the state government over the episode, and accused the Congress of turning Karnataka into a ‘goonda state’. “Not only has the Congress leader from Shidlaghatta committed an unlawful act, but behaving in such an indecent, rowdy manner towards a woman officer on duty is unpardonable,” BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said.

The state government should immediately initiate action against the Congress leader. “Failing this, people themselves will hit the streets and teach a suitable lesson,” he added.

Following the incident, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumaraswamy, called Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and expressed his displeasure.

“How can a woman officer be insulted with such vulgar words? … Such atrocities against women officers must not be tolerated. It is the government’s responsibility to protect women officers. This case must be taken seriously, and strict legal action should be taken immediately against the guilty,” the JD(S) leader told Rajneesh, according to a statement by the ministers’ office.