Karnataka: ex-BJP MLA's 'take extra' peg remark to woman Cong minister sparks row

Former Karnataka BJP MLA Sanjay Patil sparked a controversy after he suggested to Congress leader and state Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar to take an ‘extra peg’ of alcohol to sleep well at night.

Patil made the controversial remark at a party gathering in Karnataka’s Belagavi on April 14. Taking a dig at the Congress leader, Patil said that the rise of women's support to BJP in Karnataka is making Hebbalkar worry and suggested that she take "a sleeping pill or an extra peg to get a good night's sleep".

"I have worked as in-charge across eight different regions in Karnataka. In Belagavi, a large number of women are coming out in support of the BJP. This is why I would want my elder sister (Lakshmi Hebbalkar) to have a sleeping pill or an extra peg to get a good night's sleep. It will also be difficult for her to see Ramesh Jarkiholi campaigning there," Patil said on Saturday.

According to NDTV, the state minister later hit back saying that his comments reflect the respect the Bharatiya Janata Party has towards women.

“This shows the respect BJP has towards women. This is the hidden agenda of BJP. It’s not enough if you chant Ram, beti pachao, beti padhao; you must respect women,” rebuked Hebbalkar, adding, “It’s our Hindu culture. The remark of Sanjay Patil, who gives speeches about Hindu culture, is a disrespect not just to me but to all the women of the state and the nation.”

Notably, Hebbalkar's son Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Belagavi seat against BJP candidate and former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar