"Should we learn culture from BJP?": Priyank Kharge over allegations on officials' safety

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 15 (ANI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday hit back at the BJP's allegations, questioning their culture and pointing out instances of disrespectful behaviour by BJP leaders, including Muniratna and CT Ravi.
Speaking to ANI, he said the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House called him a dog in Chittapur and asked whether they should learn culture from them.
"Should we learn culture from the BJP? Do you know what Muniratna and C.T. Ravi have said in the Council? The Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House called me a dog in Chittapur and left. Should we learn culture from them?" said Kharge.
He also criticised the BJP for politicising religious scriptures, saying they don't have an iota of culture.
"They do politics in the name of religious scriptures. They do not have even a paisa worth of culture," added Kharge.
This comes after Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition R Ashok on Wednesday condemned the Shidlaghatta incident, claiming that the Congress leader Rajeev Gowda has allegedly threatened the Municipal Commissioner Amruta Gowda with beating her with a slipper and setting her body on fire over the alleged removal of an illegal flex banner.
While addressing a press conference, LoP R Ashok slammed the Congress party, saying that the officers have had no peace ever since the party came into power."After the Congress came to power, officers have had no peace; it's either harassment or death. An SP was slapped, there was a death in the Valmiki case, a librarian committed suicide, and another officer died after money was allegedly extorted from him for a transfer," he said.
Speaking about the Shidlaghatta incident, he asked why no action has been taken against the controversial remarks by the Congress leader.
"In Shidlaghatta, Rajeev Gowda has allegedly threatened Municipal Commissioner Amruta Gowda, saying he would set her on fire and beat her with a slipper.
"In Shidlaghatta, 80% of those working are Dalits, and Rajeev Gowda said he would beat them with a slipper. He is a defeated candidate and a Congress leader. He issued threats because an illegal flex banner was removed. He insulted a female officer. The Chairperson of the Women's Commission rushed to the Kogilu Layout earlier. Why has no action been taken now?" he firmly questioned.
Regarding the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister being summoned to Delhi, Kharge seemed unfazed, stating that if they want to summon them, they will.
"They have said it, haven't they? If they want to summon them, they will summon them," said Kharge.
Notably, the Karnataka CMship row is an ongoing power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, over who should hold the top post.
The "cold war" intensified as the government approached its halfway mark, sparking speculation about a possible leadership change.
Siddaramaiah intends to serve the full five-year term, dismissing claims of a power-sharing agreement, while Shivakumar has CM aspirations, with some supporters claiming he'll become the next chief minister.
G Parameshwara, Home Minister and prominent Dalit leader, is a potential figure in leadership discussions.
The Congress central leadership, or "high command," will decide the fate of the chief minister's post. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has indicated a meeting with state leaders to discuss internal matters, but no timeline has been set. (ANI)