Controversial statements hog poll campaign in Karnataka

It's not just poll rhetoric or witty limericks that are making headlines, controversial remarks by political leaders who shoot themselves in the foot ever so often make equally good reading material in Karnataka.

It's not just poll rhetoric or witty limericks that are making headlines, controversial remarks by political leaders who shoot themselves in the foot ever so often make equally good reading material in Karnataka.

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Poll campaign appeared to assume the contours of a political abattoir, with leaders from Congress and BJP threatening to "chop off heads" and "severe hands" while still others talking about performing post-death rituals and others wishing to "pack off" some older candidates to slaughter houses or terming some others "sheep".

With candidates not mincing words, it was an open attack launched by some of them.

Ananthkumar Hegde, BJP nominee seeking re-election from Uttara Kannada had allegedly stated, "If Muslims do not stop violence, it will be difficult for them to celebrate Id-e Milad", earning him strong criticism from the Congress.

But it was not the case of once-bitten twice shy for Hegde, who allegedly not only repeated his threat at another rally in Mundgod, but also said he only wanted Hindu votes.

After Hegde, it was the turn of former minister and senior state Congress leader Kogadu Thimmppa who allegedly said the hands of those propagating Hindutva "should be cut."

Not to be found lagging, BJP MLA from Honnali, Renukacharya was quick to respond that the "heads of those who oppose Hinduvta should be chopped."