BJP’s 29-year old MP from Bengaluru South, Tejasvi Surya’s tweet suggesting that Bengaluru has become “epicenter of terror activities” sparked sharp reactions on Monday including attacks from the Opposition Congress which wondered if the young MP’s statement would do any good to Karnataka when it is trying hard for investments on the back of a steep drop of its ranking in the ease of doing business (EoDB) index.
While the party’s newly appointed youth wing president chose not to clarify his statement even as it provoked sharp reactions on the twitter, chief minister BS Yediyurappa sought to play it down, saying the MP made the statement in the context of Karnataka’s demands for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) unit for Bengaluru. The party also chose not to comment on it.
The Congress jumped at it, throwing questions at the chief minister saying Surya’s statement will be a huge setback to Karnataka’s efforts attract investments. “Will you chide him? Or, accept the law & order in your regime has broken in your regime and keep quiet?,” the party asked chief minister BS Yediyurappa in a tweet.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar said he would condemn the MP’s description of Bengaluru, known for its prowess in technology and innovation, as an epicenter of terror. “(The) GDP growth has crashed and with such statements, which investor will come to Bengaluru & Karnataka?,” he tweeted.
AICC spokesperson MV Rajeev Gowda said he was deeply pained that an MP representing Bengaluru was denigrating his city. “Such irresponsible statements impact people’s lives & besmirch our city’s reputation. To curry favour with your Boss, don’t unleash divisive agendas that disrupt our harmony,” he tweeted.
A Twitter user who goes by the name Ajay Kamath said every Bengalurean must protest the statement as it would just give his party an excuse to demonise a minority.” Another twitter user who identifies herself as Shree Speaks said Bengaluru was known as garden city and startup hub, and the ruling BJP was responsible if its leaders were to choose to brand it as a terror hub now.
Surya, in a tweet on Sunday, thanked Home Minister Amit Shah for promising a permanent NIA unit in Bengaluru. In the last few years, he said, Bengaluru had become epicenter of terror activities, proven through many NIA arrests and busting of sleeper cells in the city.
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