In a no-holds barred attack, senior Karnataka Congress leader Roshan Baig on Tuesday accused the State party chief of being a “flop show” and scoffed at AICC general secretary KC Venugopal as a “buffon”, prompting the party to issue a showcause notice for his outburst.
Baig, a senior MLA, also slammed former chief minister Siddarmaiah for “dividing” the Hindu society by attempting to give separate religion tag to Lingayat community and “abusing” the Vokkaliga community during his tenure in the top post.
The attack by Baig who was miffed over being denied ticket to contest Lok Sabha polls came after the exit polls predicted a rout for the Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka and NDA’s return to power at the Centre. Baig also appealed to the Muslims to “compromise with the situation” (about BJP-led NDA being in power) and not to remain like “cattle” and be reduced to a vote bank.
“Venugopal (in-charge of party affairs in the State) should have resigned when the Congress got 79 seats in Assembly polls (a year ago). I feel sorry for such general secretary coming to our State...,” he said.
“KC Venugopal is a buffoon, I feel sorry for him, I feel sorry for my leader Sri Rahul Gandhi ji,” Baig told reporters here. He added, “Buffoons like Venugopal and arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show president Dinesh Gundu Rao...The result is this (Lok Sabha exit polls forecast).”
A red-faced Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee issued a “showcause” notice to Baig for his outbursts. It said Baig’s remarks were being considered seriously as an “anti party activity”, and asked him as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
Seeking Baig’s explanation in a week, the notice signed by KPCC general secretary VY Ghorpade said, “On failing to reply further disciplinary action will be taken against you.”
The notice has taken strong exception toBaig’s comments against Venugopal, Rao and Siddaramaiah. “By making statements to the media and causing discomfort to the party and expressing your displeasure publicly through the media, you have conducted yourself by going against the party’s principles. Your conduct has dented party’s prestige,” it said.
Baig said the “drastic decisions” led to the downfall of the party in the Assembly election and now the same was reflected in the Lok Sabha exit poll results too.
“Nobody should divide the religion. A chief minister should behave like a statesman. What it means if he (Siddaramaiah) thinks he will win the election by dividing the religion? Isn’t it madness?,” he said.
