Bengaluru, April 8 (NationPress) The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed strong disapproval of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial 'poisonous snake' comment, alongside the defense made by his son, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge. On Wednesday, the BJP demanded that the Central government take legal action against both leaders and incarcerate them in Tihar Jail.

During a media briefing at the State BJP office, "Jagannath Bhavan" in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, made these remarks.

Narayanaswamy insisted that the Central government should initiate suo motu action against Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Priyank Kharge, claiming that such measures would prevent future reckless statements.

He further ridiculed the notion that Congress President Kharge's advanced age warrants rest, suggesting that prison could offer that respite, with Priyank Kharge joining him.

Narayanaswamy admonished Kharge to be cautious with his words and avoid making incendiary remarks.

He asserted that Kharge's mental well-being appears compromised and condemned his provocative comments aimed at the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Narayanaswamy claimed that people nationwide are criticizing the Congress President, emphasizing that incitement to violence or calls for killing individuals are intolerable.

He noted that the recently passed Karnataka Prevention of Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill allows for legal action against those making inflammatory statements like Kharge's.

The BJP has lodged a formal complaint regarding this matter, and party activists are protesting in various locations against Kharge's remarks.

Narayanaswamy pointed out that Kharge previously stated that Razakars had attacked his family. Yet, instead of condemning those responsible, he is targeting the BJP and RSS.

He also criticized Priyank Kharge, the State Minister for IT, Biotechnology, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj, for endorsing his father's comments, describing it as indicative of a similar mindset.

Narayanaswamy asserted that no one within the Congress has supported the President, suggesting that both Mallikarjun and Priyank Kharge are being marginalized within their party.

According to him, the father-son duo is making such vitriolic statements merely to attract attention.

He mockingly concluded that they possess more "venom than a poisonous snake."

Narayanaswamy criticized Kharge for leveraging his Dalit identity, arguing that one should not make irresponsible statements under the guise of belonging to a marginalized community.

He accused Kharge of playing the "Dalit card" when faced with criticism.

As the leader of a national party, Narayanaswamy advised Kharge to transcend caste-based rhetoric.

He also urged Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to prevent Kharge's conduct from damaging the Congress party.

During an election rally in Assam's Sribhumi district on Monday, Kharge, referencing the Quran, stated that if a poisonous snake is in one's path, even during prayer, it is imperative to kill the snake.

"I would argue that interrupting prayer is inconsequential. The RSS and BJP represent that poisonous snake," Kharge remarked.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, on Wednesday, rebutted statements made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against his father, accusing him of making irresponsible and caste-biased comments.

Priyank Kharge further defended the controversial 'poisonous snake' remarks made by his father.

In a media interaction in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Minister asserted that a sense of caste entitlement is prevalent among BJP leaders, attributing this to the RSS's influence.

He criticized Chief Minister Sarma for his changed views after aligning with the RSS, suggesting that such ideological indoctrination influenced his remarks.

Questioning CM Sarma's background, Priyank Kharge noted that he belongs to the Brahmin community and enjoys social privilege, which he believes shields him from accountability.

He alleged that Sarma's comments targeting Dalits and leaders from marginalized communities receive insufficient scrutiny.