Bengaluru, Sept. 24 -- Karnataka minister KM Shivalinge Gowda has defended his recent remarks, saying that he "did not say to give a bribe" to officials and instead meant that people should show respect and express gratitude after the work was completed.

Addressing the controversy over his statement, Gowda said there was no major mistake, and the issue arose due to a difference in the usage of words.

"Nothing that big of a blunder has happened here. There was a slight difference in the usage of words, and we have corrected it. The meanings of 'give' and 'offer/submit' got mixed up. I said to say thanks; I did not say to give a bribe. I did not say that people should give money or a bribe," he told reporters here.

The Karnataka minister...