Cong MLA Nayana shares stage with Pramod Muthalik, sparks row with remark on party switch
Moodigere: A political controversy has erupted after Congress MLA Nayana Motamma was seen sharing the stage with Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik at a Ganesh Utsav event held at Adyantaya Ranga Mandira in Moodigere town on Tuesday.
The event was organised by the Public Shri Hindu Mahasabha Ganapati Seva Samiti for the release of a logo ahead of the festival.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Nayana Motamma said, “Wearing the saffron shawl is for Ganesha and my religion. My party workers have also accompanied me here. I was born a Hindu, a Dalit, and a woman. I’ve come here with that identity. Representing a political party as an MLA comes later. Today, I am here as the Ganapati Committee Chairperson. Whether I continue in Congress or join BJP, BSP, or SDPI – we will see after three years.”
She urged the public not to view the Ganapati celebration through a political lens. “Let us celebrate this festival in a grand way like Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja,” she said.
Her statement, especially the part about possibly changing political parties, has triggered sharp reactions on social media and among political circles. Several Congress leaders, party workers, and progressive groups expressed strong disapproval, stating that the comments undermine the efforts of the Congress cadre who worked hard to ensure her electoral success.
The fact that she shared the stage with Pramod Muthalik, a controversial figure often associated with the Sangh Parivar, has further intensified the backlash. Critics have called it an insult to the Congress leadership and party ideology.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chairman M.K. Pranesh praised the unique approach taken this year to celebrate Ganesh Utsav. The event was presided over by Ganapati Seva Samiti President Anukumar.
Pramod Muthalik officially unveiled the festival’s logo during the programme.
Other dignitaries present included M.R. Jagadeesh, Halse Shivanna, Ranjan Ajith Kumar, Javaregowda, J.S. Raghu, H.D. Ramegowda, Vinod Kanachuru, Vinay Halekote, Sudheer, M.S. Sujith, advocate Siddayya, Patel Manju, and Vijay Kumar.
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Governor’s speech row: CM Siddaramaiah cites “Vartha Bharathi” editorial in assembly
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday cited an editorial published in the Kannada daily Vartha Bharathi during the Assembly session. The Chief Minister was responding to a debate in the assembly held over the Governor's address to the joint session of both Houses of the State Legislature.
On January 22, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot declined to read the customary address prepared by the government and made a two-line address before walking out on the first day of the State legislature session, triggering a major political row.
After the House reconvened following the lunch break, Speaker U.T. Khader gave CM Siddaramaiah the opportunity to respond to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address. In his reply, the Chief Minister said the Governor left in haste without reading the full speech prepared by the government. He also pointed out that the Governor did not include the phrase “Jai Samvidhana” (Hail Constitution) and did not wait until the completion of the national anthem, stating that such conduct was inappropriate.
Referring to editorials published in various state dailies, the Chief Minister specifically cited Vartha Bharathi’s editorial dated January 23.
He said Governor Gehlot’s conduct during the January 22 session was not in keeping with the dignity of the constitutional office. Qouting the editorial the CM said, “the Governor appeared to act as though decisions and resolutions of the elected government required approval from him or the Central government, undermining the federal structure. Such actions violated the spirit of the Constitution and further fueled the already existing conflict between the Centre and the state."
Is Vartha Bharathi part of the government's cabinet? : V. Sunil Kumar
In the meantime, BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar intervened the CM and questioned whether Vartha Bharathi was part of the government’s Cabinet.
Siddaramaiah responded saying, “no representatives of the newspaper were associated with the Congress party.”
Supporting the CM's statement and taking a jab at the BJP MLA, Minister Byrathi Suresh added, “None of Vartha Bharati’s representatives are there in our Cabinet. The editor of another newspaper was a member of your (BJP) party.”
