Bengaluru, Nov 4 — Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Vice-President H. Anjaneya on Wednesday demanded the arrest of Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy for his controversial remarks against Congress workers, alleging that his statement had provoked peace-loving party workers.
It can be noted that Narayanaswamy had triggered a controversy by stating that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and supporters would chop Congress workers into pieces and throw them into the Arabian Sea if the Congress continued to create anarchy in the country.
He made the remarks while addressing a BJP foot march organised in Kolar under the slogan 'Save Democracy, Eradicate Anarchy', as a counter to the Congress protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Addressing a press conference at the KPCC office, Anjaneya condemned Narayanaswamy's statement made in Kolar that Congress leaders should be cut into pieces and thrown into the Arabian Sea.
He questioned whether such language was appropriate for a politician or was the kind of language used by terrorists.
He alleged that Narayanaswamy had provoked Congress workers, who believe in the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, by using language associated with violence and terrorism.
"We do not believe in violence and do not wish to use unconstitutional or unparliamentary words," he said.
Anjaneya demanded that the police register a suo motu case against Narayanaswamy and arrest him.
He said the Congress was preparing to file a complaint against him in Kolar and was consulting legal experts to explore the possibility of filing cases at other places as well.
Alleging that Narayanaswamy's remarks were intended to create fear and were similar to statements made by criminals, Anjaneya said Congress workers would not tolerate such threats.
"We are the people who faced British bullets during the freedom struggle. Congress leaders built the country by bringing together people belonging to all religions and communities. We have always given priority to the unity, integrity and peace of the country. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the nation," he added.
Referring to the BJP's allegation that Congress was creating anarchy in the country and that youths across the nation were rising in protest, Anjaneya said Congress had not planted bombs on trains or indulged in acts of violence.
He added that Rahul Gandhi was fighting constitutionally to protect the voting rights of citizens.
Describing the campaign as a struggle akin to another freedom movement, he alleged that the Union government was systematically misusing constitutional institutions to target and suppress political opponents.
Anjaneya said that Congress would not be intimidated by what he termed as irresponsible and abusive statements and would not resort to similar language.
He said Congress leaders would criticise their opponents using parliamentary language, as taught by the party's senior leaders.
He also demanded that the BJP remove Narayanaswamy from the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council if the party had any moral responsibility.
Claiming that Narayanaswamy had earlier been associated with the Congress and had worked at the residence of party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Anjaneya said he had merely changed the shawl he wore while retaining his association with the Congress through his attire.
He accused Narayanaswamy of betraying the Congress and claimed that he would not have a long political career.
Alleging that Narayanaswamy was making such remarks to gain publicity and emerge as a leader, Anjaneya said he should face appropriate action.
Former KPCC Working President B.N. Chandrappa, KPCC SC Department President R. Dharmasena and KPCC General Secretary Venkatesh were present at the press conference.