Congress in damage control mode

Party not keen on escalating back-to-back incidents ahead of Rahul’s tour in Belagavi division

A video grab of Congress leader Narayanaswamy going on a rampage in BBMP office.

The Congress has found itself in an embarrassing spot just ahead of party president Rahul Gandhi’s second visit to the State, with two of its party functionaries in the news for the wrong reasons.

Mohammed Nalapad Haris, son of N.A. Haris, MLA, is now in custody for attacking a youth on Saturday, while Congress leader K. Narayanaswamy is absconding after going on a rampage in a government office.

In a swift damage control exercise, the Congress has taken stern action against both. The former, who was Bengaluru city Youth Congress general secretary, was expelled from the party on Sunday, and the latter suspended from the post of K.R. Puram block Congress president. The action is an effort to prevent the BJP from escalating the issues as elections are round the corner. With back-to-back incidents damaging the party’s image, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwara instructed the Bengaluru North District Congress Committee to immediately suspend Mr. Narayanaswamy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who condemned both incidents, prevailed upon Mr. Haris to tender an apology to the State Legislative Assembly. In fact, on Tuesday, a debate on the assault case ended soon after Mr. Haris apologised to the House.

Last week, Mr. Siddaramaiah tweeted: Offenders should be punished to the full extent of law regardless of who they are. No less, no more.

@CPBlr will take action as per law and bring the guilty to book.

KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao had also tweeted: Ghastly incident... nobody is above law... police have to take strict action and arrest all concerned, who so ever they may be. Also Mohammed Haris Nalapad will be expelled from the Congress party for his involvement in this terrible act.

Interestingly, during the first leg of Mr. Gandhi’s tour in Hyderabad Karnataka region, the Congress expelled Tumakuru District Congress president Ramakrishna alias Ravikumar. He was arrested by the CCB following a raid on a guest house in Peenya, from where a prostitution racket was allegedly being run.

Mr. Gandhi will commence his tour in districts of Belagavi division for three days from Saturday.