BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde rakes up row with 'will change Constitution' remark; party says 'Personal opinion'

Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde has kicked up a row by saying that his party will change the Indian constitution if it returns to power at the centre with a two-thirds majority.

The BJP has distanced itself from Hegde's statement. Describing it as Hegde's "personal view", the party said it would seek an explanation from him.

"They (Congress) have changed the Constitution and brought laws to oppress the entire Hindu society. If all this is to be changed, it will not happen with this minority vote. ... need a 2/3 majority," he said.

Hegde said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a target of 'char sau par' because anything less than this will be an obstacle in making changes in the Constitution.

"This time PM Modi has said that he should win more than 400 seats. Why 400? We have a majority in the Lok Sabha, but not in the Rajya Sabha. We need 400 seats to make any changes in the Constitution. We need a 2/3 majority in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and also in the states. Just the majority in Lok Sabha is not enough," he said.

Reacting to Hegde's remark, Karnataka BJP said it is his personal views and do not reflect the party's stance. "@BJP4India reaffirms our unwavering commitment to uphold the nation's Constitution and will ask for an explanation from Hegde regarding his comments," the party clarified on X.

This is not the first time Hegde has made comments on changing the Indian Constitution.

Hegde made similar remarks in 2017 in the capacity of a union minister but retorted by saying that his statement was twisted. He, however, apologised in the Lok Sabha.