The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): The political climate in Karnataka is heating up with several BJP members making controversial statements that have alienated women voters, a group the party traditionally champions under the banner of ‘nari shakti’ (woman power). Among the incidents causing uproar, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya was filmed pushing away a woman’s arm as he left a heated meeting with bank depositors, sparking widespread criticism.
In a separate incident, BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal was criticized for his derogatory comments about the family of Congress minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, referring to Rao’s wife as “half Pakistani” due to her Muslim heritage. Meanwhile, H.D. Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (Secular), a key NDA ally, has come under fire for his remarks suggesting that women have become “wayward” due to the policies of the Congress government in Karnataka, such as free bus rides and financial assistance to women heads of households.
These comments have led to protests and public rebukes, with women in Mandya, Kumaraswamy’s constituency, organizing sit-ins and symbolic gestures of disdain. In response, Kumaraswamy attempted to clarify his statements by accusing the Congress of misleading women, a move that only fueled further anger.
Amid these controversies, former BJP MLA Sanjay Patil made inflammatory remarks about women attending his rally, suggesting that they would distress a local female political leader, which resulted in a protest outside his residence. These series of gaffes have not only embarrassed the BJP but also compelled state leaders and national figures within the party to address the fallout, further entangling the party in gender-related controversies as the elections approach.
Additionally, the political landscape saw strategic maneuvers, such as V. Srinivas Prasad’s refusal to attend a BJP event after feeling sidelined by the party, illustrating the internal tensions within the ranks. This political unrest is set against ongoing debates about environmental and security measures, like the removal of beehives before a Prime Ministerial visit, which have drawn criticism from environmental activists.