Bengaluru: Reacting to the FIR against BJP MLC Ravikumar over his remarks against Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, BJP Karnataka State President BY Vijayendra on Friday questioned the silence of the IAS Officers’ Association in past instances where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah allegedly humiliated senior bureaucrats in public.
Addressing media persons in Bengaluru, Vijayendra acknowledged that Ravikumar’s remarks were unfortunate and have put the party in an uncomfortable position. “I too watched his statement in the media yesterday. Ravikumar has issued a clarification. Following that, members of the IAS Officers’ Association met the Chief Minister and submitted a formal complaint,” he said.
Vijayendra pointed out that senior Congress leaders also approached officials with complaints against Ravikumar and an FIR has now been registered. “That matter is under discussion, and I won’t comment further on it right now,” he added.
However, he questioned the “selective outrage” of bureaucratic bodies, citing earlier incidents involving the CM himself. “Where was the IAS Officers’ Association when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly rebuked a senior police officer from the stage at a public rally in Belagavi?” Vijayendra asked.
He also referred to another incident in Mysuru, where the Chief Minister allegedly insulted a senior IAS officer during a government event by asking them to “stand up in fear.”
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“I’m not here to defend anyone. Ravikumar has clarified his remarks. But when the Chief Minister himself makes such comments publicly, why doesn’t the association act with the same urgency?” Vijayendra questioned. “Why no complaint then?”
He stressed that the public is watching closely and such inconsistencies in responses by associations and leaders will not go unnoticed.
