Pratap Simha, Mysuru MP, expressed regret over his “derogatory” remarks against Congress candidate for Gundlupet Assembly constituency, Geetha Mahadeva Prasad, and retracted his words. The byelection was held owing to the sudden death of H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, five-time MLA for Gundlupet Assembly constituency.
At a public meeting in Chamarajanagar on Saturday, Mr. Simha had said Ms. Mahadeva Prasad was concerned of loss of power even when she grieving her husband’s death and was keen to harvest the sympathy vote.
“Casting vote for Geetha Mahadeva Prasad was akin to performing the last rites of the development works of Gundlupet,” Mr. Simha had said. This had drawn wide-spread condemnation from various quarters, including women activists. Mr. Simha apologised for his statements and said he did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments.
He said he was only alluding to the common practice of political parties fielding the spouse as the candidate for elections when the incumbent MLA dies, so as to win public sympathy.
The MP was at the receiving end for similar offensive comments against Ms.Prabha Belavangala, activist and member of State-level Expert Committee on Prevention of Atrocities Against Women. The MP was also in the eye of the storm when he tweeted snide remarks against Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of a martyr, for comparing her with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, when she led a social media campaign against campus violence by ABVP activists.
