No votes, No development: BJP MLA to Muslim voters
Bengaluru, 12th December 2022: In a video that has gone viral on social media, Karnataka BJP MLA J Preetham Gowda is seen to be threatening Muslim voters that if they do not vote for him in the upcoming assembly elections, he would not work for their development.
He made these remarks, which has been deeply condemned by many, in a gathering at Hassan city’s Muslim-dominated Srinagar locality.
“I have looked at Muslim brothers as my brothers till now and will do the same in future. If I have done the work and if you do not extend help, I will think there is no use in helping. It’s your responsibility to make sure I don’t make such a decision.”
“You have cheated me in three elections by not voting. In six months, the elections will come again. If you cheat me again then, I will also be the same and I will not be available to you. If you come to my house, I will offer coffee and send you back. I will not do any work. Water, road, and drainage work will be done as it is my duty, but I will not do any personal work.”
“You are all daily wage workers. You will get angry if your wages are not paid. Don’t you think even after getting work from me, if you do not vote, I will get upset?”
Preetham J. Gowda is a Karnataka MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has been a Member of Legislative Assembly from Hassan constituency since 2018. He has challenged Deve Gowda’s family (former chief minister of Karnataka from Janata Dal Secular and also former Prime Minister of the country) that he would win this time by the margin of 50,000 votes.
