Congress leader threatens Sidlaghatta municipal council commissioner, protests erupt

CHIKKABALLAPUR: A banner controversy erupted in Chikkaballapur, after Congress leader and KPCC coordinator Rajeev Gowda threatened Sidlaghatta City Municipal Council Commissioner Amrutha Gowda for removing a banner. In an audio clip going viral, Rajeev Gowda can be heard using abusive language and threatening the officer.

Rajeev Gowda, a defeated candidate from Sidlaghatta assembly constituency reportedly called the commissioner, Amrutha Gowda and used abusive language, threatening to “burn her alive” for removing some banners and movie posters related to Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s son Zayed Khan’s ‘Cult’ movie.

” @INCKarnataka ದುರಾಡಳಿತದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್‌ ಮುಖಂಡರ ಗೂಂಡಾಗಿರಿ ಜೋರಾಗಿದೆ.

ಸಚಿವ @BZZameerAhmedK ಪುತ್ರ ಝೈದ್ ಖಾನ್ ಸಿನಿಮಾದ ಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸ್‌ʼಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರವುಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ಶಿಡ್ಲಘಟ್ಟ ನಗರಸಭೆ ಪೌರಾಯುಕ್ತೆ ಅಮೃತಾ ಗೌಡ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್‌ ಮುಖಂಡ ರಾಜೀವ್ ಗೌಡ ಅವಾಚ್ಯವಾಗಿ, ಅಶ್ಲೀಲ ಶಬ್ದಗಳಿಂದ ನಿಂದಿಸಿ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಬೆದರಿಕೆ… pic.twitter.com/c65czp6k9j

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) January 14, 2026

The incident sparked outrage, with protests erupting in Shidlaghatta and Chikkaballapur. BJP MLA Ravikumar condemned Rajeev Gowda’s behavior, and the party has demanded his arrest. The controversy began when banners were removed from Sidlaghatta town for causing inconvenience to the public. Rajeev Gowda’s audio clip, where he allegedly threatens the commissioner, has gone viral, adding fuel to the fire.

The Municipal Commissioner on Wednesday filed a complaint against Rajeev Gowda at the Sidlaghatta police station. Amrutha alleged that Rajeev Gowda installed unauthorised banners and flexes with his pictures across the town, obstructing road traffic. She told Public TV that the civic workers’ association has filed a separate complaint for abusing them.

When she had them removed after an accident, he called her and used abusive language, threatening to reinstall the banners and even burn her office. In her complaint, Amrutha stated she feels intimidated, mentally distressed and fears for her safety and that of her staff. She requested protection for herself and her team.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with demands for action against Rajeev Gowda. Municipal employees and officials, led by Amrutha, protested outside the municipal office, condemning Rajeev Gowda’s behavior. They placed Ambedkar’s photo in front of the office and burned an effigy of Rajeev Gowda, demanding a public apology.

Protesters also gathered at the Sidlaghatta police station, urging action against Rajeev Gowda. The protests disrupted public access to the taluk office, with employees blocking the entrance.

Meanwhile, the BJP and JDS have also filed complaints against Congress leader Rajeev Gowda at the Sidlaghatta police station. BJP leaders, including district president Sikal Ramachandra Gowda and former MP Muniswamy have accused Rajeev Gowda of threatening Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda, and demanded his arrest. JDS leaders have also filed a complaint against Rajeev Gowda, adding to the pressure on the Congress leader.