MLA denies he abused party workers

MYSURU: Congress MLA from Hunsur H P Manjunath is at the centre of a controversy for abusing

Congress workers

, including women, during a public event.

The video went viral in social media, even as the MLA claimed it was a political ploy to defame him and approached police, seeking a probe about the circulation of the video.

The MLA attended a cleanliness awareness drive at Manchabayanahalli in Biligere hobli in Hunsur taluk on August 26, where he reportedly vented his ire against the workers. He allegedly used abusive language against a leader, demeaning a woman elected representative.

However, Manjunath denied it on Friday, and said he got angry while addressing workers and said he had learnt his lesson -- to maintain calm while in public service. “I’m close to people in my constituency, cutting across barriers, which is sought to be defamed by my opponents,” he told reporters. While he agreed that he addressed a Congress worker in the singular, he said he didn’t abuse them. I spoke for 45 minutes but a 27-second video clipping of my speech is in circulation. This is a ploy to defame me, he claimed.

The legislator said he had approached the Hunsur DSP, seeking a probe into the issue.

Meanwhile, the Nayak community protested against the MLA, seeking an apology. Activists of the Karnataka State

Nayak Yuva Sena

said the MLA had abused elected representatives belonging to the Nayak community and should apologize, and resign because he had disrespected the woman representative.