BENGALURU: In a bizarre statement, Karnataka health and medical education minister K Sudhakar on Wednesday dared all 225 Karnataka MLAs to come clean on their extra-marital affairs by undergoing “monogamy tests”. An hour later, he expressed regret after drawing flak from MLAs, including some from BJP, besides the Speaker and opposition leaders.
“No one bothered when Congress deliberately tried to defame six ministers. But my statement asking them to introspect has hurt some. I request them not to take my statement literally but understand the pain and anguish of my words,” Sudhakar said.
Reacting to the Congress protest in assembly over the past two days demanding resignation of six ministers (including him) for obtaining a gag order on the media, he said the “monogamy test” will expose all those taking the moral high ground.
Sudhakar said: “To those behaving as ‘maryada purushottamas’ or ‘Sri Ramachandras’ (honourable and righteous men), I’m throwing a challenge. Let there be an investigation into the private life of all 225 MLAs and let it be known who has had illicit relationships or extra-marital affairs?”
He named opposition leader Siddaramaiah, former CM HD Kumaraswamy, KPCC president DK Shivakumar, former speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and Congress MLA V Muniyappa. “They are all ‘Satya Harishchandras’ and practising monogamy strictly in their life, isn’t it?”
This, evoked sharp reactions. “Nobody should make such statements which bring disrepute to the House and its members,” Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said.
Siddaramaiah said: “The statement amounts to breach of privilege of MLAs. Let the government order an inquiry against all 225 MLAs.”
Kumaraswamy also slammed Sudhakar: “You have created this situation by going to court. Had you followed propriety in public life, this situation would not have arisen.” However, he admitted he had once “slipped” in his personal life.
Shivakumar taunted Sudhakar for giving “precious words” to the state. “I have only one wife and one family,” he added. BJP MLA Raju Gowda demanded Sudhakar withdraw his statement.