Karnataka Cong working prez asks people to hit UP CM with slippers; later terms it 'emotional outburst'

The political discourse in poll-bound Karnataka touched a new low with Congress working president Dinesh Gundu Rao calling upon the people to hit Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with slippers whenever he came to the state.

Rao made the controversial remarks at a candle march organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress here to show solidarity with the victims of rape in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua.

The comments drew an angry response from the BJP which termed them "heinous" and accused the ruling Congress of instigating violence.

As his comments stoked a major political row, Rao said it was an "emotional outburst" and "all I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers".

He said he regretted his remarks if they were offensive.

At the protest meet last night, Rao had said, This man from Uttar Pradesh who comes to Karnataka to deliver lectures is not a yogi. He is a hypocrite, a liar and a thug. He should not be allowed to enter Karnataka..."
The party tweeted, Mr Rao, your love for Muslims must not translate to hatred for Hindu saints. What were you thinking when you said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals? Hindu-Vokkaligas of K'taka hold him in high regard. You have insulted the entire community with your heinous comments!
Rao said, I should not have said so. It is wrong. All I said was just show him (Yogi Adityanath) slippers. I did not say slap him with slippers. It was not a scripted statement. In a fit of anger I said so. I was wrong."