No going back on remarks, says Roshan Baig

Bengaluru: Sticking to his stinging remarks against top Congress leaders including former CM Siddaramaiah, KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, defiant Congress MLA  Roshan Baig asserted that there was no going back on his statements.

On Tuesday, Baig had dubbed Venugopal a “buffoon”, Gundurao a “flop show” president and Siddaramaiah as “arrogant” and said they would have to bear the blame for a poor show in the Lok Sabha polls.  

Speaking to reporters here late on Tuesday evening, Mr Baig said, “I am the party's loyal worker. I have been in this party from my student days. I was all India general  secretary of the party’s student wing. I have seen the party's growth. We had inspiring leaders like Indira Gandhi.

At that time, we had coined the slogan - 'Aadhi Roti Khayenge, Indiraji ko Layenge' (we may eat half roti but we will ensure the victory of Indiraji). But when we see today's leaders, they aren't even half as inspiring as those in the past. Today's leaders are like - 'Hamara leader kaisa ho, paisewala ho' (We want a rich man to be our leader)."

In a response to a question, Mr Baig retorted that his statements are not against the Congress party or its president, Rahul Gandhi. "These statements are against those about whom I have already spoken," he snapped.

 Answering  another question, the Shivajinagar MLA who is a popular face among  Muslims in the state, denied saying that he would join the BJP.

"All I said was that Muslims should not become blind followers of a particular party. They should vote on the basis of a candidate's merit.If the BJP's candidate is good, they should vote for him. I have always been a Congressman, I will not leave this party.  Making remarks against state leaders does not amount to indiscipline.  This is want our state leaders against whom I have made charges want you (media) to think," he caustically remarked.

Baig also took to Twitter  to deride KPCC general secretary, Rizwan Arshad stating "Did I single-handedly erode the anti- incumbency against the BJP’s MP candidate (Bangalore Central), P. C. Mohan?" He retorted that Rizwan has written a letter blaming him for losing the election even before the results are announced. "I can't tell whether Rizwan is just a sour grape or a chameleon," he quipped.