He is unfit to be leader of the Oppn: State women's Congress chief

Bengaluru, Oct 18 (DHNS): Leader of Opposition the in the Council and senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa’s statement over the increasing incidents of rape has not gone down well with his own party leaders.

Reacting to the statement, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar said he was unaware of what his party colleague had said. In case Eshwarappa has made such comments, it is wrong, Shettar said.

In a statement, BJP spokesman S Prakash said as he was travelling he could not see the video clipping of Eshwarappa’s statement. However, he said he was shocked at it. “He should not have used the analogy,” Prakash said.

Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee president Lakshmi Hebbalkar said Eshwarappa has no control over his tongue and he keeps saying whatever comes to his mind.

In a statement, Hebbalkar said Eshwarappa was unfit to be the Leader of the Opposition in the Council. He lacks culture and his party should take action, she said.

Law Minister T B Jayachandra said Eshwarappa’s statement shows the lack of respect he has for women of the State. It is a highly irresponsible statement. If the journalist lodges a complaint, the government will look into it. Prima facie, it seems like a punishable offence, he said.

JD(S) State president H D Kumaraswamy said, of late, elected representatives in responsible positions had been giving irresponsible statements, especially on atrocity cases.

They should think before making such statements. Recently, Home Minister K G George made a similar statement about gang rape and now, Eshwarappa has said something callous and audacious. There is the danger of such remarks provoking people with negative mindsets, he said.

‘Quoted out of context’

Eshwarappa, when contacted by Deccan Herald, said that his statement had been quoted out of context and also selectively.

“I had strongly condemned the increasing cases of rape, theft and murder which only reflected on the deteriorating law and order situation. Home Minister George should have cut short his foreign trip once he heard about the killing of SI Jagadish. Those who are into criminal actions are sure of getting bail, I had said. But that never got aired,” he said.
He said that the woman journalist had said that as an opposition party the BJP had failed.

“Then I posed a question to her and this was never meant to demean women.”
To a question whether he regretted the analogy, Eshwarappa did not give a direct reply. He said, “We are in a democratic set up and I am not a dictator. What mistake have I committed by expressing my opinion?”

Eshwarappa said, “I did not say anything with arrogance. I express my concerns. Women of this State know what I am. The BJP does not disrespect women. I feel bad when I see women getting subjected to atrocities. The woman journalist who posed me the question is like my sister. All I asked her was what the Opposition can do if somebody drags her.”