The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar after a viral video appeared to show him tossing half-eaten apples toward his supporters during a felicitation ceremony in his hometown of Kanakapura, located in Ramanagara district. The BJP alleged that the incident was a clear reflection of the Congress party's mindset and its attitude toward the public.
Event Details
According to sources, Congress workers organized a grand felicitation event for D K Shivakumar in Kanakapura on Sunday. During the ceremony, they presented him with an oversized garland made entirely of apples, which was lifted with the assistance of a crane. The elaborate display was intended to honor the chief minister, but the aftermath sparked controversy.
Viral Video
After the event concluded, Shivakumar was seen biting into two apples from the garland and then throwing them one after another toward party workers before leaving the venue. The video of this action quickly went viral on social media platforms, drawing widespread criticism, particularly from the BJP.
BJP's Reaction
The BJP posted the video on X (formerly Twitter) with a caption in Hindi, which translates to: "Throwing half-bitten apple at the very public whose votes bring you to power is no joke—it's a mirror to the Congress mindset." The party further stated, "Respect isn't shown through words, but through behavior. The public doesn't beg for charity; it demands respect. And when arrogance takes the place of respect, the public responds in kind."
Defense from Sources
Meanwhile, sources close to Shivakumar claimed that he tossed the half-eaten apples toward supporters only after some of them allegedly requested the fruit as "prasad" (a religious offering) from a leader they regard as a demi-god during the felicitation ceremony. According to these sources, the gesture was misinterpreted and was not intended to be disrespectful.
The incident has added to the ongoing political tensions between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka, with both parties trading barbs over the chief minister's conduct.
