Kalaburagi, May 22 (UNI) In a tense political flare-up in Kalaburagi, Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy sparked controversy by making a pointed proverbial comparison between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge.**

The remarks, made on Wednesday ahead of a Tiranga Yatra in Chittapur, ignited a political storm, triggering anger among Congress workers and leading to an attempted assault on Narayanaswamy, as well as a prolonged dharna outside the government guesthouse where he was staying.

Addressing the media before leaving for Chittapur, Narayanaswamy invoked a popular Kannada proverb to respond to Priyank Kharge’s earlier criticism of the Prime Minister, stating that “an elephant is not bothered about a barking dog.” While the comment was intended as an adage, Congress supporters in Chittapur — the home constituency of Priyank Kharge — took offence, interpreting it as a direct insult to their leader.

The tension quickly escalated as Congress workers tried to forcibly enter the government guesthouse to confront Narayanaswamy. Police personnel acted swiftly to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, deploying forces to block the protesters from reaching the Opposition Leader. Despite police intervention, the workers staged a dharna outside the guesthouse, maintaining their protest late into the evening.

Amid mounting pressure and concern over the situation’s potential to worsen, Narayanaswamy later issued a statement expressing regret over his remarks, seeking to quell the unrest.

UNI BDN GNK