Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Feb 4: MP Ananth Kumar Hegde is learnt to have remained adamant on his stand that he will never agree to tender an apology on his controversial reference to Gandhiji's freedom struggles, in the presence of the media.
Speaking at New Delhi before he met Hegde, Nalin had said that already a show cause notice had been issued to Hegde seeking his explanation. He also had said that national president of the party J P Nadda, had been kept informed of the development and that he will take action as may be found suitable as per rules. After meeting Hegde, Nalin Kumar Kateel had said that the issue of making derogatory reference to Gandhi has been discussed, and that the MP has sent his explanation to national BJP president J P Nadda.
Ananth Kumar Hegd (left) and Nalin Kumar Kateel
As per reports emanating from reliable quarters, Hegde has remained stubborn again and is firm on not tendering an apology about his disputed statement in the presence of the media. Kateel, who tried his best to convince Hegde to relent, failed to convince the latter. Kateel, who is heading Karnataka state unit of the party, had told Hegde that his statement about Gandhiji has put the party in a spot of embarrassment; duly pointing out that this issue is being highlighted during campaigning for Delhi election. Hegde was also told about the high command's instruction to Hegde to retract his statement by tendering an apology.
But Ananth Kumar Hegde, who refused to apologize, said that he had responded to the notice served by the party and asked the high command to decide what has to be done next. However, he said he will stay committed to what he said.
Ananth Kumar Hegde, who had launched verbal tirade in a private function at Bengaluru against freedom fighters, Mahatma Gandhi and progressive thinkers, had earned the wrath of state Congress leaders and leftist leaders, His derogatory remarks about Gandhiji had also put the party in a spot of embarrassment. Therefore, none of the BJP leaders had supported his statement. The party high command, which was unhappy about this development, had served show cause notice to Hegde.