Karnataka: BJP Minister Visits Wrong Soldier's Home To Pay His Condolences For A Martyred Soldier
However, once the confusion cleared up, minister Narayanaswamy tried to do damage control by praising the soldier's service. He also felicitated the family members before he left.
In an embarrassing incident, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment A Narayanaswamy ended up going to a living soldier's house instead of a martyred soldier's home as part of BJP's Jan Ashirwad Yatra on Thursday, reported Times of India.
As he informed the confused family that a government job and land would be provided, they were shocked and broke down thinking they have lost their family member.
When the minister realised the goof-up, it was an embarrassing moment for him.
TOI
According to the schedule, the minister was supposed to visit the residence of a martyred soldier at Mulgund in the Gadag district in Karnataka.
However, he visited the house of serving soldier Ravikumar Kattimani. Since Narayanswamy was running behind schedule, he was in haste when he reached Mulgund accompanied by Haveri BJP MP Shivakumar Udasi.
He visited the house of Kattimani, currently posted in Jammu and Kashmir, and asked about the health and condition of the family members, who were left completely shaken by this visit.
He then announced that he would provide a government job to one member and land for the family, which left them feeling shocked and confused.
TOI
However, once the confusion cleared up, a local BJP member who knew the family, made a video call to soldier Kattimani and asked the minister to speak to him, reported Indian Express.
After realising the gaffe, Narayanaswamy tried to do damage control by praising the soldier's service. He also felicitated the family members before he left.
¡°My husband is working in Kashmir, it has been two months since we got married. The minister coming to our house and inquiring about us caused some confusion, but neighbours said he might be coming out of respect to soldiers serving in border areas¡.when he started assuring job and land, I told him that my husband is there and I will have to ask him¡±, Kattimani¡¯s wife told local media.
ET
Local BJP leaders were scolded by him for embarrassing him by providing wrong information, party sources added.
