Pratap Simha slams Minister Santosh Lad, compares him to Afzal Khan

Former Member of Parliament Pratap Simha has stirred controversy with sharp remarks against Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad, claiming that the minister, who hails from the Maratha community, reflects the spirit of Afzal Khan rather than the valour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Simha criticized Lad’s frequent statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Does Santosh Lad even realise what he is saying? Is it impossible for him to function without targeting Modi? As someone from the Maratha community, one would expect him to speak in the spirit of Shivaji Maharaj, but instead, his words echo the tone of Afzal Khan,” Simha alleged.

He further accused the minister of being involved in corruption, stating that Lad is “covered in mining money.” Referring to previous controversies, Simha said, “While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been caught up in the MUDA scam, Santosh Lad managed to escape the labour kit scam. Otherwise, he would have been forced to resign from his ministerial post for the second time.”