Let BJP leaders sing full Vande Mataram without teleprompter: Karnataka HM Kharge

Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Sep 16 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister, Priyank Kharge, on Wednesday took a dig at BJP leaders over the controversy surrounding the singing of Vande Mataram, challenging Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka and BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra to sing the full National Song without the aid of a teleprompter. 

Speaking in Kalaburagi, HM Kharge said, "We know only two stanzas. BJP MLAs have left the platform claiming that it is an insult. I am preparing a platform for R. Ashoka and B.Y. Vijayendra. Let them sing Vande Mataram without a teleprompter."

He further said BJP leaders should sing the entire song after practising it. "Since yesterday, BJP leaders must have been memorising it. At least let them sing after practising," Kharge said, taking a jibe at BJP leaders.

He also claimed that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not know how to sing Vande Mataram in full.

On the proposed special session of the Karnataka Assembly, HM Kharge said the government had convened it to discuss issues concerning the people.

"We have called a special Assembly session to discuss the issues of the people. The Monsoon Session was completely disrupted by the Opposition parties," he said.

Kharge said the state government was also ready to discuss the alleged KPSC scam in the Assembly and challenged the BJP to participate in the discussion.

"We are ready to discuss the KPSC scam as well. Let BJP come for discussion," he said.

Responding to Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy's allegations regarding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) scam, Kharge said Kumaraswamy had initially alleged that he was involved in the scam and later demanded that he take moral responsibility.

"Kumaraswamy first stated that Priyank Kharge is involved in the KPSC scam, later he is claiming that I should take moral responsibility," he said.

HM Kharge questioned why BJP leaders were not naming suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar who had been appointed by a previous BJP government in the state, while raising allegations related to the recruitment irregularities.

"Why are BJP leaders not taking the name of suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar? Why won't BJP leaders discuss anything about him?" he asked.

The remarks came amid a political confrontation between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP over the KPSC controversy and the issue of Vande Mataram.

--IANS

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