Why did Cong MLA Nayana Motamma share stage with Muthalik? Political move or ideological betrayal?
When Rahul Gandhi is out across the country opening Mohabbat Ki Dukaan, why are some of his own party leaders seen shopping at the shop of hate? That’s the question many are asking after Congress MLA from Mudigere, Nayana Motamma, appeared on stage alongside Pramod Muthalik, the controversial leader of the Sri Rama Sene.
What message does Nayana Motamma’s presence on that platform send? Why would someone who claims to wear saffron for religious identity stand next to someone who constantly spreads hate against an entire community? And how can she so casually disregard the efforts made by her own party workers who worked hard to get her elected?
Let’s break it down.
Nayana Motamma, an educated youth leader with a law degree from the prestigious National Law School of India University and international exposure, stood on a public stage beside a man who is known for his communal and inflammatory speeches. Pramod Muthalik, the Sri Rama Sene chief, has long been associated with hate-filled rhetoric, and has criminal cases filed against him.
Even more surprisingly, Nayana didn’t just appear there; she went a step further. She claimed that she was not there as a Congress MLA but as the president of the Ganapati Seva Samiti, which was hosting the event. According to her, this was a public Ganesh Utsav event, and she asked not to be seen from a party-specific lens.
She added that she came wearing a saffron shawl as a Hindu, a Dalit, and a woman. She claimed it was part of her identity. But what message does it really send when a Dalit woman leader, educated and elected by secular votes, decides to share the stage with someone who has often been accused of undermining the rights of minorities and women?
Nayana even made comments about changing political sides in the future. She said, “Whether I will remain in Congress, or join BJP, BSP, or SDPI — that will be decided three years from now.” This ambiguous statement has only added fuel to the speculation that she might be preparing for a shift in political ideology or party.
Unsurprisingly, her actions and words have triggered widespread reactions. Dalit groups, progressive voices, and even Congress supporters have expressed shock and disappointment. The person who stood next to her on the stage, Pramod Muthalik, used the opportunity to praise her in his own speech. That only deepened the controversy.
Let’s not forget — Nayana Motamma is the daughter of Motamma, a powerful political figure who carved a name for herself as a Dalit woman leader in Karnataka politics. Hailing from a small town called Maggalamakki in the Malnad region, Motamma served as MLA for multiple terms (1978–1983, 1989–1994, and 1999–2004), and also held the post of Minister for Women and Child Welfare. She was also the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council. A woman who rose from grassroots, endured humiliation and prejudice, and continued to serve the people. Even Indira Gandhi had attended her wedding — a testament to her stature in the Congress party.
Despite political ups and downs, Motamma never left Congress, even when her political mentor D.B. Chandre Gowda joined other factions. She stayed loyal to the party and grew through public service. However, in her later years, even she moved away from political ideology and was seen leaning towards self-proclaimed spiritual gurus — a development that had raised eyebrows.
Now, her daughter Nayana, who began her political career under the shadow and legacy of Motamma, seems to be making questionable choices. Why would someone so educated, so well-informed, take such a drastic ideological turn at such an early stage of her political career?
This incident is not isolated. There’s a pattern. Earlier, when DK Shivakumar participated in the Kumbh Mela and praised its rituals, there was unease within the Congress ranks. The issue was not about visiting a religious gathering. It was about the optics and timing — when the party is fighting forces that are actively promoting Hindutva politics, such public acts by its own leaders undermine the struggle.
The same goes for Nayana Motamma now. Her decision to appear with a figure like Muthalik, and to make open-ended comments about her political future, sends confusing signals to voters. The people of Karnataka voted out the BJP and chose Congress with a clear mandate. They were rejecting communal politics and giving a chance to a party that promised inclusiveness. But when elected leaders start associating with the very ideologies voters rejected, it not only confuses the public, it weakens the party’s moral ground.
There are also questions about her intent. Did she really need to share the stage with someone like Muthalik to express her religious identity? There are hundreds of Hindu saints, religious institutions, and spiritual spaces in her own district. Why pick this specific event, hosted by a controversial figure, to express her faith?
Does her political career need an image makeover so badly that she is willing to sit next to someone who is widely seen as an agent of communal hatred? Has her politics hit such a low point that this is what is needed to stay relevant?
This entire episode raises critical questions about her political values. It makes one wonder whether she has truly understood Babasaheb Ambedkar’s teachings, his life, his message. Can anyone who genuinely follows Ambedkar ever feel comfortable next to someone like Muthalik?
This is not just a betrayal of her party. It is a betrayal of her identity, her education, her legal knowledge, her family background, and her ideological commitment. Her presence on that stage was not just a mistake — it was, in many eyes, a colossal act of political treachery.
If Nayana Motamma continues to behave this way, the secular voters of Mudigere must think seriously before trusting her again. If she is the Congress candidate in the next election, every secular voter should vote against her and teach both her and the party a lesson.
In the end, the question remains — what does Nayana really stand for? Her words and actions suggest that she is moving away from the very principles that helped her win the people’s trust. And if that is indeed the case, it is not just her political future at stake, but the credibility of the party she represents.
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Ex-PM Devegowda warns opposition of electoral losses if they continue to allege 'vote chori'
New Delhi (PTI): Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda on Monday said the Opposition parties would "suffer" if they continue to raise allegations of "vote chori" and create suspicion in the minds of voters by blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Rajya Sabha, he criticised the Opposition for making a mockery about the Prime Minister "in the streets and on the public platform".
"This (India) is a very big country. A large country. Congress may be in three states. Remember my friends please, by using the words 'vote chori' you are going to suffer in the coming days. You are not going to win the battle," Devegowda said, referring to the Opposition members.
He asked what the Opposition is going to earn by "blaming Narendra Modi's leadership and creating a suspicion in the mind of the voters" through the claims of "vote chori".
"What has happened to their minds? Let them rectify," Devegowda said.
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The former prime minister said that during his over seven decades of public life, he has never raised such issues of vote theft despite facing defeat in elections.
He also cited a letter written by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru regarding inclusion of "18,000 votes" (voters) in Kerala.
"Why I am telling this (because) during the Nehru period also, there were certain lapses in the electoral system," said Devegowda, who was the prime minister between June 1, 1996 and April 21, 1997.
He said that the Congress party faced defeat in the recent Bihar elections despite raising the issues of mistakes in the electoral rolls.
"What happened after that even after so much review (of voters list). Think (for) yourself! You got six MLAs," the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader said.
Devegowda questioned the Opposition as to why they want to make allegations against the prime minister on the issue of the voters list?
"Election Commission is there. Supreme Court is there. The Election Commission has given direction to all the state units to rectify all these things," he said.
Devegowda said people of the country have full confidence in Narendra Modi's government and it will come back to power after the next Lok Sabha elections as well.
K R Suresh Reddy, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party's Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, said that electoral reforms are the backbone for a healthy democracy.
He said a large and diverse nation like Indi needs clean electoral rolls.
Asserting that strict re-verification should not become a mechanism for exclusion, Reddy said no eligible voter should lose their right to vote simply because accessing paperwork is difficult.
He said while the concern definitely is on the voters' exclusion, "we should also be equally concerned about the percentage of voting."
"What is happening in voting today? Once the election ends, the drama begins. The biggest challenge that the Indian democracy has been facing in spite of two major Constitutional amendments has been the anti-defection. Anti-defection is the name of the game today, especially in smaller states, especially where the legislatures are small in number," Reddy said.
The senior BRS leader suggested creation of a parliamentary committee "which would constantly look into the defection" and "ways and means to cutting that".
AIADMK's M Thambidurai raised the issues related to election campaigning.
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"Election campaigns are one of the important election processes. In that, political parties must be given the proper chance to campaign," he said and cited problems faced by his party in Tamil Nadu in this regard.
Thambidurai said political parties were facing hardships in Tamil Nadu to conduct public meetings and to express their views to the public.
YSRCP's Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy stressed on bringing electoral reforms at both the state and national levels.
He also suggested replacing Electronic Voting Machines with paper ballots in all future elections.
"EVM may be efficient but can't be trusted. Paper ballot may not be efficient but can be trusted. You need trust in democracy," Reddy added.
