Mandya : BJP minister from K R Pet constituency of the district, K Narayana Gowda, who created controversy by saying ‘Jai Maharashtra’, has apologized to the public of Karnataka on Thursday, February 27.

Speaking to scribes, K Narayana Gowda said, “If my sloganeering for Maharashtra has caused anguish and pain among Kannadigas, I apologize. I have respect for Kannada. Whatever I said was slip of tongue. If that has hurt the feelings of Kannadigas, I sincerely ask for forgiveness. I am always a Kannadiga.

“It is true that I lived in Maharashtra for 35 years of my life. But I was born in Karnataka. I am doing business in Maharshtra. We celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava there in Maharashtra. We speak about Kannada from morning till night. I fight for Kannadigas in Maharashtra also.

“Maharashtra is also a part of India. I have not committed any sin. I have contact with Maharashtra as I do business there. But the ones who made me victorious in the assembly elections are Kannadigas. I am a minister in Karnataka. So I am always a Kannadiga in my heart. But some people are trying to tarnish my image.

President of K R Pet taluk Rakshana Vedike Venu had urged the minister to tender public apology for raising the slogan ‘Jai Maharashtra’. Venu had said, “It is wrong on the part of minister Narayana Gowda to have raised a slogan in favor of Maharashtra. He belongs to K R Pet. He has won because of the support of Kannadigas. So it is wrong to have raised pro-Maharashtra slogan. He should apologize immediately and should refrain from giving such statements in future.”