Bengaluru: Congress veteran and five-time MLA from Davangere (South), Shamnur Shivashankarappa, sparked controversy while addressing party workers by speaking against BJP candidate Gayathri Siddeshwara, the wife of incumbent MP GM Siddeshwara.

Shivashankarappa ridiculed Gayathri Siddheswara’s qualifications and claimed she could not effectively address public concerns. He lashed out at the BJP candidate, urging her to understand the problems of Davangere. “You all know she wanted to present a lotus to PM Modi by winning from this constituency. First, they should understand the issues in Davangere. Congress has undertaken a lot of developmental work in this region. It’s one thing to know how to talk, but they only know how to cook in the kitchen; the opposition party does not have the strength to speak in front of the public,” Shivashankarappa said.

Interestingly, Shivashankarappa’s daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is contesting against Gayathri. The BJP candidate sharply responded to the veteran leader’s comment, highlighting the achievements of women and their significant presence in fields traditionally considered male-dominated.

“He said it in a manner suggesting that women should only cook and stay in the kitchen. What profession are women not involved in today? We are even flying in the sky. The elderly man doesn’t realize how much women have progressed; he doesn’t understand the dedication with which women cook at home for men, children, and elders,” said Siddeshwara.

BJP spokesperson Malvika Avinash condemned Shivashankarappa’s statement and lodged a complaint with the ECI.

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