CM in row for 'slapping' official, denies doing so

Ballari (Ktk), Jan 16: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today landed in a row after video footage showing him appearing to slap a person went viral.

Rejecting media reports, Siddaramaiah said he had not slapped any official and some electronic media were carrying out "false" propaganda against him.

Video footage showing Siddaramaiah lose his cool and raise his hand against a person went viral as TV channels aired it, identifying the purported victim as Ballari Corporation Commissioner P G Ramesh, who however, maintained it was not him.

The Chief Minister appeared to have slapped the person who came in his way in the midst of an enthusiastic crowd here but he and Ramesh said the reports were false.

The video shows Siddaramaiah surrounded by his security personnel and supporters accepting greetings from the people and he is seen suddenly losing his cool and raising his hand against a person saying "make way" angrily, as the crowd jostled to shake hands with him.

Only the back of the person, who was allegedly slapped, is seen in the footage. Siddharamaiah took to the social media to clarify his position.

In a post on the Chief Minister of Karnataka's official Facebook account, Siddaramaiah said "the news that is being telecast by some media channels that the Chief Minister has slapped an officer at the inauguration of Valmiki Bhavan in Ballari has surprised and saddened me.

"Through this, I would like to inform the people of the state that I have not slapped any officer," the post written in Kannada added.

Clarifying on his part, the official said the Chief Minister was angry at the security staff and not at him. "...it is not me, its security; it's security and not me. I stumbled amidst melee, so the CM told his security not to push, that's all," he said.

PTI