Karnataka Congress on Wednesday found itself mired in a controversy after the BJP alleged that pro-Pakistan slogans were raised by the supporters of Syed Naseer Hussain, the Congress leader elected to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Syed Nasir Hussain was elected as a Rajya Sabha member winning 47 votes. In the FIR filed by the BJP workers, after the returning officer declared that Hussain was elected to the Rajya Sabha, at around 7 pm, his supporters, who had gathered at the premises of the Vidhana Soudha at the instance of Hussain suddenly shouted 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans.
BJP MLA Y Bharat Shetty, who claimed that he witnessed the alleged incident, told Deccan Herald that Hussain's supporters raised the slogan in retaliation to BJP workers's slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai.
However, the Congress refuted the allegations. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge told reporters that it was clear in the audio that the slogan raised by the workers was "Naseer Hussain and Syed Sahab zindabad".
"This is nothing but a desperate measure for the BJP to get back in the game. The party has done an audio forensic check and it is found that there is nothing like that. The govt's FSL report is expected soon," he added.
The MP himself took to X to issue a clarification, stating that no slogans of the said nature were raised by anyone in his presence. "A proper investigation would be conducted and action would be initiated against the accused if the allegations are found to be true," he added.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too said that serious action would be taken if the allegations are found to be true. "It is not only an allegation by the BJP, it is also an allegation by the media," he said.
"We have sent the voice report to the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory). When the report comes, if it's true that somebody has made a slogan that 'Pakistan zindabad', such person will be punished seriously," the chief minister said.
If somebody has raised such a slogan, there is no question of sparing them. "If it is true, we will take strict action, serious action," he said.