Karnataka Congress on Tuesday sent a notice to its MLA Roshan Baig over his statements on AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and former CM Siddaramaiah.

Baig has been asked to explain his statements within seven days.

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After the exit polls on Sunday predicted a debacle for the UPA and a majority of Karnataka seats going to the BJP, Congress leader Roshan Baig triggered a massive row saying that the portfolios in the JD(S)-Congress coalition government were “sold” and minorities were ignored.

The comments have left the other state Congress leaders red-faced.

When asked if the Congress should have thought before giving portfolios in the state, Baig said, “Portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn’t allowed to function. From day one, Siddaramaiah has been saying ‘I’m going to be CM’.You have gone to their doorstep to form govt!”

He further went a step ahead to abuse AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao and Siddaramaiah.

On being asked if Siddaramaiah is responsible for the collapse of the government, he said, “KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao…The result is this.”

Alleging that the minorities were ignored in Karnataka, Baig said, “No seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka, they were ignored. I’m upset with this, we have been used.”

Reacting on the remarks, KPCC chief Rao said it was “unbecoming of a politician of his stature to speak like this”. Calling it a case of “pure political opportunism” Rao said, “required action will be taken against Baig when the time is right”.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara said the remarks blaming Dinesh Gundu Rao and Siddaramaiah for a possible Congress loss were Baig’s personal opinions and that it was not the party’s assessment.

The Congress’ Karnataka in charge, KC Venugopal, is expected to meet Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru today and discuss on the matter.