Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy waded into a controversy on Wednesday after he lost his cool and threatened the protesting employees of the Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS) in Raichur district.
The chief minister, who was on his way to Karegudda village in Manvi Taluk to attend the 'Grama Vastavya' (village stay) programme, was seen shouting at the protesters after they tried to block his convoy and submit a list of their grievances.
"You voted for Narendra Modi and want me to solve your problems! You want me to give you respect. Should I baton-charge you? Leave the place," Kumaraswamy told the protesters.
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The incident had stirred up a political storm in the state with the Bharatiya Janata Party condemning the chief minister's behaviour and demanding his apology.
BJP state general secretary C.T. Ravi said the “petty comments” made by Kumaraswamy weren’t befitting the office he held. BJP MLC and spokesperson N. Ravi Kumar said Kumaraswamy seemed to have forgotten that he is the chief minister of 6.5 crore people of the state and not only of some Janata Dal (Secular) workers and legislators.
Later, while talking to a television channel, Kumaraswamy sought to defend himself, saying he had sought 15 days time to address the YTPS workers' grievances. “But they blocked the road which made me angry,” he said.