Earlier, Karnataka Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao’s comment on Yogi had triggered the controversy where Vokkaliga outfits demanded the ouster of the KPCC working president. Terming Rao’s jibe as the insult of Vokkaliga community, the state religious body has asked election commission’s intervention on the issue of violation of model code of conduct. During a candlelight protest organized by the state Unit of Congress, Dinesh Gundu Rao slammed Yogi Adityanath over Unnao rape case and asked people to beat the Chief Minister with sandals. Later, anticipating the controversy, Rao took to Twitter and expressed regrets over his comments on Yogi.