Bengaluru, Jan 14 (NationPress) In response to the alleged mistreatment of a senior female Municipal Commissioner by a Congress leader in Chikkaballapur district, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy contacted Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to discuss the necessary actions regarding this incident.

In the meantime, the BJP has called on the police to press charges against the accused Congress leader under the Goonda Act.

It is important to highlight that a leaked audio recording featuring a Karnataka Congress leader from Chikkaballapur district verbally assaulting and threatening a female Municipal Commissioner has ignited significant outrage.

The individual in question is local Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, who allegedly subjected Sidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda to abusive language and issued death threats.

Rajeev Gowda serves as a KPCC state coordinator and was a candidate in the recent elections for the Sidlaghatta Assembly constituency.

During his conversation with Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Union Minister Kumaraswamy expressed his outrage over the situation and shared the audio clip with her.

He voiced his disappointment that, despite being a woman herself, there seems to be a lack of protection for female officials within her administration. He insisted on the immediate detention of the Congress leader implicated.

“How can officers perform their duties if they are subjected to such verbal assaults?” he questioned.

BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra remarked, "The conduct exhibited by Congress leaders resembles that of rowdies and reflects the party's true culture. The actions of the Sidlaghatta Congress leader are not only illegal but also demonstrate thuggish behavior towards a woman officer fulfilling her official responsibilities, which is utterly unacceptable."

"The party cannot remain silent while intoxicated by power, allowing leaders to show arrogance towards ordinary citizens and dedicated officials. The state government must promptly enact stringent measures against such undisciplined leaders who intimidate a female officer. Failing this, the public may resort to protests to deliver an appropriate response," he cautioned.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, addressed the media, stating that the arrogance of Congress leaders has escalated statewide. Their high-handedness has exceeded all bounds.

He called for the immediate arrest of Rajeev Gowda by the Chief Minister.

He emphasized that since Gowda brazenly threatened to take the law into his own hands, he should be detained under the Goonda Act. If this is not executed, the BJP will escalate the matter to a statewide issue, he warned.

Questioning the appropriateness of Congress leaders engaging in such hooliganism, he noted that sanitation workers have also protested in light of the abuse. The BJP intends to prioritize this issue, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.

Narayanaswamy urged the Chief Secretary to act swiftly, asserting that she should not simply acquiesce to government demands and reminding her of the office's independent authority. It is the responsibility of senior officials to correct governmental errors and offer guidance, he stated, cautioning that if this does not occur, the BJP may be compelled to protest against the Chief Secretary as well.