BJP Minister in Karnataka denies slapping woman, confirms touching her cheek!

The opposition in Karnataka has demanded the expulsion of State Housing Minister V Somanna from the Bharatiya Janata Party Cabinet led by Basavaraj Bommai, for allegedly slapping a woman at a public event recently.

A video of Somanna appears to slap a woman at the public event. However, the Minister has denied having slapped her, but has issued a public apology over the incident. The woman, Kempamma has also denied that she was slapped by the Minister, but added that he had touched her face.

The incident occurred on Saturday at an event at the Hangala village in Chamarajanagar district’s Gundlupet taluk. According to information available, 173 beneficiaries were handed out land title deeds. The woman, identified as Kempamma, came to the venue and claimed that the selection process for beneficiaries was rigged and alleged that title deeds were given to people upon the suggestions of Congress leader Nanjappa.

Her allegation is said to have annoyed Somanna, leading to an altercation between him and Kempanna. The video of the minister’s alleged altercation with the woman was circulated widely on Sunday. Denying the slapping, Somanna also claimed that his ‘hand had just touched her face’. Kempamma told reporters that the minister had patted her cheek and alleged that the video of the incident had been altered.

Defending himself, the Minister told reporters, “This incident is not an incident at all. I have been in politics for the past 40 years. This was a programme organised for the downtrodden and economically weaker section of society. Though I did not misbehave at all, if anyone felt hurt then I apologise and express my regret.”

The Congress is now demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should intervene in the matter and ensure that Somanna is sacked from the cabinet.

Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted a video in which he said, “The New Gem of Bommai Govt. BJP Minister slaps a hapless woman. She falls to the ground. Instead of apologising for the shameless act, Minister V. Somanna makes the police throw her out. This is the unbridled arrogance of BJP.”

Posting the video on the social media website, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote in Kannada, “What a difference from the way @RahulGandhi began the Karnataka leg of #BharatJodoYatra from the very same Gundlupet on 30th September! This shameless person should be dismissed from the cabinet immediately!”