BJP MLCs apologized to me over Ravi remark, alleges Laxmi Hebbalkar

NT Correspondent

Hassan: Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Monday claimed that BJP MLCs had apologized to her after fellow party lawmaker CT Ravi allegedly directed a slur against her on the floor of the House. The incident took place in the Council at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on December 19, the last day of the winter session. Members from the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP got into a back-and-forth when Ravi is said to have used a misogynistic slur against Hebbalkar. She had been in the Council in her capacity as a minister alongside the likes of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Thereafter Hebbalkar’s supporters are said to have tried to assault Ravi. The BJP MLC was then detained by cops and allegedly manhandled and transported from spot to another for the entirety of the night. “Everyone was in my favour (in the Council at the time) including Ravikumar and Sarvanna (BJP MLCs) and JD(S) members. As many as four people walked up to me and said sorry. I won’t disclose their names. I could have responded but I was so shocked that I just sat down,” Hebbalkar said.

She hit back at claims that she was turning Belagavi into a republic and that the BJP would stage protests during the Congress session centenary celebrations on December 26. “Belagavi is Channamma’s land. It is a refuge of peace. It isn’t like Chikkamagaluru where you do such things. Anyone can come to Belagavi with a clean tongue and mind. You’re most welcome,” the Congresswoman said.

State govt instigated cops: HDK- Terming the police detention of Ravi as “politics of vendetta”, Union Minister Kumaraswamy claimed a section of officers were acting at the behest of the State government. “Certain ministers in the government are giving directions to a few select officers, leading to unlawful decisions within the department. Cases are being booked as per their whims, and their opponents are being crushed through abuse of power and violation of laws,” he alleged.