Karnataka: Prathap responds to criticism regarding role in Parliament attack

Member of Parliament (MP) from Mysuru and representative of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Pratap Simha has finally spoken about the Parliament attack for the first time in 11 days. One of the attackers had used Prathap Simha’s guest pass to gain entry into the building before spraying a yellow-coloured gas using canisters which was hidden in the shoes. 

Supporters of the opposition parties have raised the point that at a time when the Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra was suspended from the parliament for sharing her login credentials to a third-party, why is Prathap Simha being given a leeway.  Minister of IT/BT in the Government of Karnataka Priyank Kharge stated that were the pass given by a Congress leader, the response would have been totally different. 

Amidst mounting Pratap Simha addressed the press in Mysuru regarding the issue. “Whether I am a traitor or a patriot and a nationalist will be determined by Mother Chamundeshwari, Mother Kaveri who flows through Brahmagiri, my well wishers and the people of my constituency. The ultimate decision making power is with people. They will respond to this question in the 2024 Lok Sabha election during April. I have let them be the judge of this affair. I do not want to say anything more with regard to this issue,” he said. He declined to comment on whether he was acquainted with Manoranjan, who was one among the 4 attackers.