Karnataka minister Roshan Baig sparks controversy after using expletive for PM Narendra Modi
Roshan Baig, a minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet, is facing flak over his use of an expletive to say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi bluffs on his monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat.
In Short
- Baig used an expletive in Tamil aiming at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- He talked about demonetisation and how the poor faced troubles during the drive.
- Baig went into damage control mode and stated he doesn't know Tamil that well.
A controversial statement by Roshan Baig -- a minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet -- has landed himself in trouble.
Baig made a reference in Tamil aiming at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and used words which amounted to expletives. The BJP is furious and charged at Roshan Baig, especially at a time when the elections are a few months away.
Baig was addressing a party meeting in his constituency -- Shivajinagar -- on October 3.
While addressing the meeting, he talked about demonetisation and how the poor faced troubles during the drive, While referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Baig made a derogatory remark.
Baig compared a few schemes launched by chief minister Siddaramaiah like Anna Bhagya and Ksheera Bhagya. He then also made a reference in a slangy Tamil dialect where he said that the PM 'bluffs' in his AIR show, Mann Ki Baat.
Also speaking about BJP state president Yeddyurappa, he said, "Siddaramaiah has implemented projects as CM. But Yeddyurappa, when he was CM, only looked at Shobha."
"Baig must be having a lot of difficulties after demonetisation. He is expressing his pain and agony in public. The language tells the culture of the person. He must apologise to the nation for his nasty conduct," retorted Yeddyurappa in a statement.
Baig went into damage control mode and stated he knew only "tooti-phooti" (little) Tamil.
"I have the highest respect and regards for my PM. He is not just PM for BJP, he is the PM of the nation. I don't know Tamil properly and I just quoted what people, traders, supporters and marwadis said after the GST and demonetisation."
"I never use such language and I have never used it against our PM. I don't use such words even for anybody. The BJP doesn't have anything to highlight, they are just raising questions against Congress leaders. Today they are targeting me."