Karnataka Health Minister Dr K. Sudhakar on Wednesday dared all 225 legislators of the state to face an inquiry to find out if they were "monogamous".
Weary of the constant taunts and demand by the opposition Congress for his resignation, along with that of five other ministers after they secured a gag order on media from the court that prohibits telecasting or publishing any "unverified" video related to the ministers, Sudhakar called for a "test of morality".
"This is an open challenge for those who think they are Satya Harischandras. Let there be an inquiry against all 225 mbers of the House to find out if we have any illicit relationships and extramarital affairs. People have a right to know. Are people like Siddaramaiah, Ramesh Kumar, D.K. Shivakumar, V. Muniyappa and H.D. Kumaraswamy monogamous and role models for the society?" asked Sudhakar.
It may be recalled that Leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah had dubbed the ongoing SIT probe into the sex CD scandal involving BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi as "sham". The Congress members had started a dharna in the well of the House three days back, demanding an inquiry monitored by Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court and resignation of the six ministers. The Congress contended that the six ministers were themselves living in fear and hence cannot protect the citizens.
Sudhakar's statement drew flak from not just the Congress and JDS members, but also his BJP colleagues. "It is an arrogant statement. Does Sudhakar mean to say that none of the legislators, including the speaker and the chief minister, is truthful? It is a breach of privilege of all the legislators and it only shows Sudhakar is guilty. This has tarnished the image of all lawmakers," said Siddaramaiah.
The Congress raised the issue in the house, demanding an apology from Sudhakar, and later wrote a letter to the chief minister stating the party was prepared for face an inquiry into the morality issue too. KPCC chief D.K. Shivakumar said he had only "one wife and one family" and sacrcastically added that Sudhakar had uttered "pearls of wisdom" before the entire state.
Annoyed at the reference, Kumaraswamy said: "Why should he mention my name? I have myself openly admitted my mistake [his relationship with Kannada actor Radhika]. Don't blame only the legislators. I feel every living being on this planet has natural instincts which is god given. Today, if the ministers had not sought a stay [injunction], this situation would not arise. Why are they indulging in mudslinging now? I agree no one is a Satya Harishchandra. But why make a laughing stock of yourself?"