Karnataka BJP leader’s ‘extra peg’ remark on Lakshmi Hebbalkar sparks controversy, Congress leader hits back

A major row erupted after Karnataka BJP leader Sanjay Patil made an ‘extra peg’ comment on Lakshmi Hebbalkar, the Congress’s state women and child development minister. Patil, a former BJP MLA, stated at a party workers’ meeting that the increasing support of women for the BJP in Karnataka would cause concern for Hebbalkar.

He suggested that she might need “a sleeping pill or an extra peg to get a good night’s sleep.”

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While addressing a public gathering in Belagavi on Saturday, Patil remarked, “Hebbalkar will not get good sleep looking at the rising support of women for the BJP in Belagavi. It will also be difficult for her to see Ramesh Jarkiholi campaigning there. She has to have a sleeping pill or an extra peg to get a good night’s sleep,” as reported by NDTV.

Notably, Jarkiholi faced a massive scandal in March 2021 after local news channels aired sexual content on a CD allegedly involving him.

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In response to his remarks on her, the Karnataka Congress rebuked the BJP, asserting that Sanjay Patil “targeted and insulted” all women with his remarks about Lakshmi Hebbalkar. The party also alleged the saffron party of increasingly displaying an “anti-women attitude.”

Hebbalkar, in a video statement, slammed the former BJP MLA’s comments, questioning whether they exemplify the respect the BJP has for women.

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“This shows the respect the BJP has towards women. This is the hidden agenda of the BJP. It’s not enough if you chant Ram, beti pachao, beti padhao; you must respect women,” Hebbalkar responded.

“It’s our Hindu culture. The remark of Sanjay Patil, who gives speeches about Hindu culture, is a disrespect not just to me but to all the women of the state and the nation,” she added.

Notably, Hebbalkar’s son, Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar, is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Belagavi seat against BJP candidate and former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar.