Karna minister flings kits at sportspersons, faces flak

Karnataka Revenue Minister R V Deshpande has courted a controversy after a video showing him throwing sports kits at sportspersons at a function went viral with union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore and state BJP flaying him for his conduct.

The incident took place on Wednesday in Haliyal in Uttara Kanna district, the assembly constituency of the Minister when he was distributing the kits to talented sportspersons. Deshpande, however, accused media of misinterpreting it.

In the video, Deshpande is seen flinging kits fromthe stage to sportspersons standing on the ground.

Karnataka BJP and Minister Rathore have hit out at Deshpande for his conduct.

"Absolutely unacceptable behavior! Mr Deshpande,please do not undermine the dignity of those athletes or your position," Rathore said in a tweet.

Karnataka BJP in a tweet said, "Don't be confused, that's not a hooligan throwing things around. This is Revenue minister Sri. R V Deshpande throwing sports kit at sportspersons.

"He seems to be inspired by Sri. HD Revanna. After all such uncivilised culture is a part & parcel of Congress party," it said.

Earlier in August, public works minister H D Revanna had come in for sharp criticism after a video purportedly showing him throwing biscuit packets to the flood victims staying in the relief camps in Hassan district went viral.

Facing the flack, Deshpande said, he distributed sports items to talented sportspersons of Haliyal with "good intention" and in "good spirit", and "they are likemy own family members."