Siddaramaiah needs mental treatment: BJP MP on Karnataka leader's 'terrorist' jibe

Siddaramaiah defended the Karnataka Cabinet's decision to grant clemency to Hubballi rioters, saying his government had withdrawn cases against BJP leaders too and called BJP MP Pralhad Joshi a "big terrorist".

In Short

• Siddaramaiah defends clemency decision for Hubballi rioters
• Accuses BJP of protesting on baseless issues, calls Pralhad Joshi 'terrorist'
• Pralhad Joshi alleges Siddaramaiah has lost mental balance

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday slammed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for calling him a "terrorist", saying he needs "mental treatment".

Addressing reporters on Sunday, Siddaramaiah spoke about his cabinet's decision to grant clemency to Hubballi rioters belonging to minority community.

"This decision to withdraw cases will go before the court. If the court agrees, then cases will be withdrawn. Else, we cannot withdraw cases. We have withdrawn cases against BJP leaders too. BJP protests on baseless issues. Pralhad Joshi himself is a big terrorist," said Siddaramaiah.

Reacting to Siddaramaiah's statement, Pralhad Joshi said, "What we learn from here is that Siddaramaiah is truly distressed. One should not give up to this extent. Power comes and goes in politics. Every day, he is scared of losing power. High Court has given him a huge beating."

"Both of us used to exchange jibes. But not to this cheap level where there's no sanity. He has lost his mental balance. He needs mental treatment," he added.

On Friday, the Congress government in Karnataka decided to withdraw a criminal case registered against a mob which had attacked policemen with stones on April 16, 2022 in Hubballi town.

Notably, Pralhad Joshi criticised the state government's decision, describing it as "height of appeasement".