Bengaluru, August 31: A political controversy has erupted after former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah likened workers of the Janata Dal (Secular) to prostitutes while reacting to the collapse of JDS-Congress coalition government in the state. Asked for his clarification, Siddaramaiah refused to take back his statement and said he was pointing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and not the JD(S). Karnataka: People Suffering From Floods But BS Yediyurappa Govt Focusing on Phone Tapping Case, Says HD Deve Gowda.

According to a report, a reporter had asked Siddaramaiah for his reaction on JD(S) workers blaming him for the collapse of HD Kumaraswamy's government. "A prostitute who can't dance says the floor isn't right to dance," the Congress leader responded. Issuing clarification, Siddaramaiah later said: "I meant dancers who can’t dance, complain about the dance floor. By this, I meant the BJP, who else?"

Reacting to Siddaramaiah's remarks, BJP leader S Prakash said the former chief minister is known for making offensive statements. "It is is the usual habit of Siddramaiah to speak in such derogatory manner," Prakash said. Siddaramaiah has been on target of the JD(S) since the coalition government collapsed. Earlier this week, JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda attacked Siddaramaiah.

Deve Gowda said that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul should have consulted Siddaramaiah before supporting Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister. "I have clearly said that without taking Mr Siddaramaiah, who was Chief Minister for five years, into confidence Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi all of a sudden came and said Mr Kumaraswamy is the next Chief Minister, it was their wrong decision," Gowda told reporters.

The former prime minister was referring to his interview to a newspaper in which he had blamed Siddaramiah for the collapse of the government last month. The 14-month-old JDS-Congress coalition government collapsed on July 22 after the confidence motion moved Kumaraswamy was defeated in the assembly. Sixteen MLAs (13 from the Congress and 3 JDS) had resigned as legislators which culminated in the fall of the coalition government.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 31, 2019 04:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).