Mysuru, Sep 29 — The RSS has existed for 100 years, and its volunteers carried lathis then and continue to carry even now, said senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Tuesday.
Reacting to recent remarks by Home Minister Priyank Kharge referring to RSS volunteers carrying lathis and wearing shorts, Narayanaswamy, while addressing the press conference in Mysuru, said the lathis were part of the organisation’s physical exercises and activities.
“It has been 100 years since the RSS was established. The lathi was there then, and it is there now also. RSS volunteers carry lathis and wield them not for any other reason. They undertake physical exercises in the morning and learn various things,” he said.
Taking a dig at Priyank Kharge, Narayanaswamy said the Home Minister had been repeatedly speaking about Nagpur, the RSS, lathis and shorts.
“There is another minister in the state, the Home Minister. Recently, he has not been coming out of the house. I wish him well, but he always speaks about Nagpur, RSS, lathi and shorts. That is all. I have asked him not to see others’ shorts. Instead, he should see his own. Despite this, he is not relenting and is interested in shorts,” Narayanaswamy said.
Narayanaswamy also questioned the state government’s decision to involve 22 ministers in ensuring the success of the historical Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
Taking a dig at Minister for Urban Development Yathindra Siddaramaiah, he questioned his role and authority in the arrangements.
“What is the power of Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah? It seems he does not have time even to carry out his household chores. Other ministers have been appointed, and Yathindra is younger than them. Let him remain at home and adjust things there,” Narayanaswamy said.
He ridiculed the government’s decision to involve multiple ministers in the Dasara arrangements and questioned the need for such arrangements. It can be noted that Yathindra Siddaramaiah is the Mysuru District In-Charge Minister, and earlier, the entire responsibility was given to the District In-Charge Minister. Yathindra is the son of former chief minister Siddaramaiah.