BJP Sidelines MPs for Hate Speech; Party May Deny Poll Pass to MP Over “Constitution Change” Remark

Mr. Hegde's history of making contentious statements has placed him in the crosshairs of controversy in the past, prompting the BJP to engage in damage control mode.

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Recent remarks by BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde suggesting that the party needs 400 seats in parliament to “change the Constitution” have stirred a hornet’s nest, potentially jeopardizing his candidacy in the upcoming general election. The Uttara Kannada MP’s comments have drawn swift condemnation from the BJP leadership, with the party distancing itself and demanding an explanation from the four-time MP.

Mr. Hegde’s history of making contentious statements has placed him in the crosshairs of controversy in the past, prompting the BJP to engage in damage control mode. As per NDTV Sources within the party indicate that his latest remarks may impact his electoral prospects as party leaders deliberate on finalizing candidate selections for the impending polls. It’s reported that Mr. Hegde is lobbying strenuously to secure a place on the second list of BJP candidates, slated for release soon.

The BJP’s initial list of candidates for 195 seats saw the replacement of several MPs known for their provocative statements, including Ramesh Bidhuri, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, and Pragya Singh Thakur, all of whom were omitted from the roster. A party leader emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum in public life, highlighting that candidates making controversial statements risk being sidelined, even if they possess electoral viability.

Mr. Hegde’s call for a “rewriting” of the Constitution and assertion that the BJP needs a whopping 400 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha to effect such changes have stirred a storm of criticism. He accused the Congress of distorting the Constitution to “oppress Hindus” and emphasized the need for a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as across various states, to enact amendments.

The BJP’s response to Mr. Hegde’s comments has been swift and unequivocal, with the party affirming its commitment to upholding the nation’s Constitution while distancing itself from his remarks. Karnataka’s BJP unit issued a statement clarifying that Mr. Hegde’s views were personal and did not reflect the party’s stance. Similarly, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia reiterated that Mr. Hegde’s statements were his own and affirmed that the party had sought clarification from him.

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