Minister threatens official with suspension over absence

NT Correspondent, Koppal: Minister for Kannada, Culture and Backward Classes (BCs) Shivaraj Tangadagi found himself in the middle of a controversy as he was caught on video threatening an official with suspension for missing a meeting held in Koppal district headquarters.

The unnamed official in question presumably replied that he had high blood pressure and blood sugar and had taken a medical leave for the same.

To this, Tangadagi is heard replying: “Does your BP and sugar spike only when there is a meeting?”

Later on, he told officials present in the meeting that he had noticed many of them going missing during meetings and programmes such as jayanthis. “If you don’t attend meetings, there will be action against you,” the minister is heard telling the present officials.

Koppal MLA Raghavendra Hitnal was also present at the meeting and was seen extending support to Tangadagi.