Daijiworld Media Network - Bagalkot (SP)

Bagalkot, Nov 15: Newly elected Congress MLA from Jamkhandi constituency in the district, Anand Nyamagouda, has courted controversy by expressing elation at defeating a Brahmin candidate in the election.

Speaking at a felicitation organized by Muslims on his success, the said comment was made. After the video of the address went viral, and several people condemned him for this statement, Anand tendered an apology. A large number of people advised Anand to limit politics to parties and not spread it to religions.

In the video clip, Anand can be heard saying that his father, Siddu Nyamagouda, had been catapulted to fame after defeating former chief minister, Ramakrishna Hegde. "Hegde was a Brahmin. Now the people gave me an opportunity to defeat a person who is a Brahmin, by over 40,000 votes," he is seen saying. Anand had defeated BJP candidate and former MLA, Srikant Kulkarni.

After his comments received widespread condemnation, Anand said that the video has been edited. "A person named Nazeer Kanganolli raised the topic of my father having defeated Hegde. I told him that my aim was not to defeat Brahmin community, but winning was important. I have no intention of deriding any community, and I have not issued any wrong statement. I am still young. If anyone is hurt, I apologise for the same," Nyamagouda said.