Congress MLCs meet Governor, seek action against Ravikumar, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy of BJP

Congress MLCs submitting a petition to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru on Thursday.

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Congress MLCs on Thursday called on Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and demanded his immediate intervention, seeking constitutional and legal action against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for his alleged derogatory remark against IAS officer and Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum.

They also demanded the Governor’s action against Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, for his alleged derogatory remarks against Minister Priyank Kharge.

Mr. Ravikumar on Tuesday expressed regret over his “intemperate but inadvertent” remarks against Ms. Taranum. Mr. Ravikumar had, during a recent protest in Kalaburagi, alleged that the Deputy Commissioner’s office had “lost independence” as she “took orders from RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge”, wondering if she was an IAS officer or “someone who came from Pakistan”, leading to widespread condemnation.

In a petition to the Governor, the Congress MLCs urged him to take suo motu cognisance of the derogatory remarks made by Mr. Ravikumar and issue a formal condemnation of his statement, upholding constitutional values of secularism, administrative neutrality, and respect for public servants.

They urged the Governor “to recommend disciplinary or ethical proceedings against the MLC under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Council, including censure or suspension, as warranted.

Against Council LoP

Congress MLCs, including Minister N.S. Boseraju, and members Salim Ahmed and Dinesh Guli Gowda, demanded Mr. Gehlot’s intervention against Mr. Narayanaswamy for his derogatory remarks against Mr. Kharge. “The MLC likened the Cabinet Minister, Priyank Kharge, to a dog,” the petition said.

The petition said the Governor should immediately advise Mr. Narayanaswamy to step down from his post and take moral responsibility for the unparliamentary remark. This will ensure dignity is maintained in the public discourse and democratic institutions are preserved.

“Moreover, downtrodden members will also understand that the Governor would not let highly powerful individuals trample upon their rights,” the petition said.

Published - May 29, 2025 09:18 pm IST