Yeddyurappa forced to say sorry over Remani's controversial remarks against the Christian community.
Yeddyurappa forced to say sorry over Remani's controversial remarks against the Christian community
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An Independence Day speech delivered by Prahlad Remani, a BJP MLA from Khanapur in Belgaum district, was allegedly inflammatory and had ruffled the Christian community.
When the community members led by Peter Machado, the district bishop, met the chief minister, who was in the district, on Wednesday, he promised to get an unconditional apology from the legislator.
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| MiD DAY carried a report on August 24 on Yeddyurappa being the most apolgogetic CM |
However, a defiant Remani refused to obey him when Yeddyurappa asked him to say sorry before the media at a press conference, in Belguam.
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"I don't have to tender an apology, as I have only criticised missionaries for forceful conversions. I am not against the Christian community," he said, leaving the chief minister red-faced.
When his angst failed to move the MLA, Yeddyurappa gave in and chose to forget it in hurry. But the scribes reminded him of the issue on his visit to Hubli yesterday, and demanded his comments.
A tired looking CM was prompt enough to be apologetic and said, "Being the chief minister I own up the responsibility and say sorry on behalf of my legislator."
Referring to Remani and Bachhe Gowda, the labour minister who had recently kicked up a controversy by allegedly assaulting a real estate dealer for overtaking his car on a highway, Yeddyurappa said, "I appeal to the ministers and MLAs be disciplined and not put me in spot with these sort of issues," while warning of serious consequences in the event of repetition of such instances.u00a0
However, the tough posture of the chief minister seems to have failed to yield result as Remani is still refusing to heed.
"If he wants to take action against me, it is up to him, but I have already clarified about the development with him," Remani said.u00a0 "I have said nothing wrong and I won't be apologetic.u00a0
At the same time, I appeal to my leaders including the chief minister to not to indulge in appeasing any person or any community, as I don't believe in playing to a specific gallery when doing politics."
No sorry
Abhay Patil, a BJP MLA from Belgaum (south), has expressed his solidarity to Prahlad Remani saying that his apology was not called for. "The conversion is rampant in the district and what Ramani has stated is the fact.
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The chief minister had to verify the fact before committing for an apology and I think Ramani has no reason to feel sorry."
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