Karnataka Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Monday lost his temper at a public event in Mysuru when questioned by a woman about the issues faced by the public in his son Yathindra's Varuna constituency in the district.
The video showed a wordy duel between Siddaramaiah and Jamalar, a former District Panchayat member, who said she was upset that his son Yathindra "showed up" seven months after getting elected.
I am not going to keep quiet. We are seeing Saheb today, during the election time, said Jamalar during the meeting.
Her accusation irked Siddaramaiah, who said his son keeps visiting the constituency, which she strongly contested.
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The woman tapped the table to buttress her point, further enraging Siddaramaiah who shouted at her and forcibly asked her to sit.
As she beat the table the second time, Siddaramaiah lost his cool and snatched the microphone with which the dupatta got entangled.
Later speaking to reporters, Jamalar said the local officers did not respond and they wanted the MLA's intervention. "The MLA does not visit our area. Where should we go if we have to get our official works done?" Jamalar asked. She, however, regretted thumping the table.
In a tweet, NCW chief Sharma said "NCWIndia has taken Suo Motu cognisance. Will write to Karnataka Police to take appropriate action."
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The incident took place at a public gathering in which Siddaramaiah took part along with his son Yathindra, a legislator from Varuna in the same district, about 150 km southwest of state capital Bengaluru.
Congress state unit president Dinesh Gundu Rao said Siddaramaiah got agitated as the woman was banging on the table.
"He was only asking for the microphone as he had to attend meetings later. There was no ill intention," Rao told a news channel.
The state BJP unit did not lose any time in hitting out at the Congress leader and the party and shared a video of the incident on Twitter saying "Demon Dushyasana is finally reborn and resumed power in govt of Karnataka."
Condemning Siddaramaiah for losing cool, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa said, The aggrieved woman is from Congress. She is complaining that the MLA is not available.
"Instead of addressing her grievance persuasively, Siddaramaiah displayed his anger by snatching the microphone from her and shouting at her."
IANS, PTI and ANI
