From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 21: In a sharp reaction to State BJP Chief Nalin Kumar Kateel’s statement that ‘’chappals will be hurled at Congress public meetings,’’ KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar on Saturday ridiculed his BJP counterpart as a ‘’gutter mouth’’ (bacchalu baayi).

``Nalin Kumar Kateel has no control over his own tongue and there is no bone in his tongue,’’ he said and criticized the BJP State President for having no control over his own party leaders like Basavaraj Patil Yatnal, Murugesh Nirani, Vishwanath and C P Yogeshwar.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Saturday, he said when a State President of a national party and also an MP speaks one expects responsible statements and proof.

``Is there is any proof for what he speaks. Let him first answer to the public comments of his own party leaders and then talk about other parties,’’ Shivakumar said making it clear that he does not warrant a reply except for his comment for speaking against the Congress party.

Asked about Telangana Congress party leader Hemanth Reddy’s claim that Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader K C Chandrashekar Rao pumping in Rs 500 crore to State Congressmen for defeating the party, Shivakumar said he was unaware of the issue.

``Ask the persons who gave and received the money. I don’t know about it,’’ he said

The KPCC Chief said the State Congress Election Committee is meeting on February 2. ``We have already held first round of discussions with the ticket aspirants. We will finalise the names shortly,’’ he said.

To a question of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s statement that several Congress leaders are waiting to join BJP, Shivakumar said: ``Let him welcome all those who are willing to join BJP. We have no problem.’’

The KPCC Chief said ruling BJP is rudderless and has problems of leadership. ‘’Amit Shah had earlier declared that elections will be fought under Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s leadership. Now, he himself has admitted that there is a failure of leadership and he now claims that elections will be fought under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. It is obvious that they are not confident of Bommai’s abilities,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said there was no meaning in BJP’s criticism of the Congress party’s promises of providing 200 units of free power to all domestic consumers and Rs 2,000 each cash payment to all housewives and that the ruling party would also announce its own programmes.

``If the BJP wanted to help the people to face the price rise and inflation, what prevented the government from doing anything during the last three and half years,’’ he asked.

The KPCC Chief later went to Hassan and participated in the party’s Prajadhwani bus yatra along with Siddaramaiah, B K Hariprasad and other leaders.