JOIN USBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Hukkeri MLA Umesh Katti courted controversy on Friday by allegedly using unparliamentary words like ‘haramkhor’ for BJP leaders which has different meanings as interpreted. He later stated that the controversy has been created by BJP leaders who fear that he could join the Congress, but he would remain in the party irrespective of given candidature to contest the coming assembly elections or not.
Katti during interaction with a section of media at his hometown Hukkeri about 58 km from here on Friday had held informal talks regarding rumours that he has been quitting BJP and joining Congress. In the video telecast by private channels, Katti is heard calling BJP leaders as haramkhor who have been spreading rumours of him joining Congress and stating that he will remain in the party and will not crossover to Congress.
“I had mobilised more than 50,000 people for the Pariwartan Yatra held recently. If had to leave the party would not have organised such big event. I have blessings from the people and BJP if gives candidature will contest the elections,” he said.
Katti said he did not participate in the rallies demanding independent religion status for Lingayat as per the directions of Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar. “I am Hindu first, then Lingayat and Veershaiva which are same. I am neither Muslim nor Christian or Jain.”