Bengaluru: In the aftermath of his sharp criticism of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an OBC meeting in Bengaluru on September 9, MLC B K Hariprasad has received a show cause notice from the All India Congress Committee (AICC). In response, Hariprasad has pledged to provide a comprehensive response within the specified 10-day timeframe.
The AICC notice has been issued to seek an explanation from Hariprasad regarding why disciplinary actions should not be initiated against him for his public remarks.
Hariprasad’s critique stemmed from his perceived exclusion from the Chief Minister’s cabinet, a development that left him dissatisfied. The Congress party has officially categorized his conduct as a ‘breach of party discipline’ and has urged him to furnish a satisfactory reply to the notice.
It is worth noting that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had previously held a conversation with Hariprasad, advising him against publicly criticizing fellow party members. Hariprasad, being a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest executive committee, holds considerable influence.
The notice sent to Hariprasad expressed concerns over the negative impact of his recent statements on the party’s support base, particularly among OBCs and SCs. Given his seniority within the organization, the party stressed that such detrimental comments should not have been made and viewed them as a clear violation of party discipline, a stance taken seriously by the Congress.
Moreover, the notice drew attention to an instance where Hariprasad shared a platform with BJP’s Kota Srinivas Poojary and Jogi Ramesh from the YSR Congress, which further raised concerns within the party’s ranks.
In response to the notice, Hariprasad has expressed his commitment to addressing the matter swiftly. He mentioned that he came across the notice on WhatsApp and expects to receive the official copy soon. “I will ensure that I respond within the stipulated time once I receive the copy,” he affirmed.
The response of Hariprasad to this notice remains a subject of significant interest, as the notice from the party’s high command has prompted a sober reflection.