Bengaluru, November 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A heated exchange took place between supporters of the BJP and Congress in the presence of Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda during a Ward One programme at Tin Factory in Whitefield on Saturday.
BJP MLA Bhyrathi Basavaraj and former Congress MLC Narayanaswamy were also involved in a verbal altercation over allegations of inadequate development work in the constituency. While Basavaraj described the incident as an example of the ruling party’s high-handedness, Byre Gowda dismissed it as a minor and routine occurrence in politics.
The controversy erupted after BJP workers alleged that the minister had failed to undertake development works in the constituency. Narayanaswamy reportedly moved towards youths who questioned him, triggering an argument between him and Basavaraj. Congress workers, meanwhile, alleged that Basavaraj had misused all the funds.
During the exchange, Basavaraj reportedly reminded Narayanaswamy that he had become an MLC with his support and questioned the allegations against him. Narayanaswamy reportedly responded that Basavaraj had also become an MLA with their support. Byre Gowda intervened and urged both sides to calm down, saying the programme was not the appropriate occasion for such arguments.
Speaking to the media later, Basavaraj alleged that residents and youths raising concerns about poor roads were being targeted and threatened. “It is my responsibility to raise people’s issues. If a youth questions the problems in the area and is treated in this manner, what is happening? Does the Congress government believe that nobody should question it or that the public should remain silent?” he asked.
Basavaraj said he had been coordinating with the minister for constituency development and had attended the programme after being invited by the minister’s office. However, he alleged that residents raising grievances were targeted and attempts were made to assault them. He also accused officials of neglecting the constituency and carrying out only patchwork repairs on roads despite repeated complaints.
Responding to the incident, Byre Gowda described it as a minor disagreement and said political differences were natural. “These are normal, small issues. The MLA has cooperated with us. There will be political differences between us and them. He has clearly stated that people get upset when someone speaks about certain issues. Naturally, both sides get upset. This is human nature. Keeping development in mind, we should forget such differences and move forward,” he said.
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