Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru
Chikkamagaluru, Jan 7: The Chikkamagaluru district Women's Congress has alleged that one of its members was 'assaulted' by BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje during a protest against the rising prices of cooking gas and other essential items here on Tuesday January 7.
The protest led by the district Women's Congress was held in front of the zilla panchayat office here. The protesters prepared onion bonda and garlands made of onions to register their protest against the rising prices of vegetables. While the protest was going on, Shobha Karandlaje arrived at the zilla panchayat office to participate in a programme.
As soon as her car arrived, the leaders and members of Women's Congress rushed towards Karandlaje and started chanting slogans against the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and gheraoed Karandlaje's car. The women leaders handed over a memorandum to Karandlaje urging immediate action against inflation.
At the same time, Mahila Congress minority committee secretary Nagina came forward with a garland made out of onions and tried to put it over Karandlaje. The MP pushed away the garland and in the process, hit her hand against Nagina's chin, which started bleeding.
The police who were at the spot immediately intervened and brought the situation under control. Shobha Karandlaje refused to accept the memorandum and headed straight into the zilla panchayat office gates without stopping the car.
The Women's Congress leaders who grew angry at this followed Karandlaje, urging her to at least accept their memorandum. They tried to enter the ZP office, but the police stopped them. A quarrel then ensued between the police and the protesters. Block Congress president Manjegowda finally brought all the protesters outside.
Addressing the media thereafter, the protesters said, "The people elected her (Shobha Karandlaje) as MP and sent her to parliament. People are faciling difficulties because of rising prices of essential commodities. But she is not raising this issue in the parliament. We are protesting because she is our representative, but she is not even ready to accept our memorandum. Instead, she has assaulted one of our members. The member she assaulted was injured. We did not expect Shobha Karandlaje to behave in this manner. She has resorted to goondagiri, and she must apologise."
Responding to the incident, Karandlaje said, "I came to the ZP office by car, and I remained in the car while the Congress members were protesting. When they came to block me, I did not stop the car. I did not even get out of the car, so how can I assault anyone? Congress members are jobless, that is why they are selling pakodas. I shall pray to god that Congress members keep selling pakodas all their life. I did not assault anyone."
Video: