Hindutva terrorists! Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah keeps the barbs flying
Mysuru: Far from being apologetic for his remarks made on Wednesday against the BJP and Bajrang Dal, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah once again called their members "Hindutva terrorists" here on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters at three different places, the Malemahadeswara hills, Sargur and Mysuru airport, he said, "I am also a Hindu but with humanity and they are Hindus without humanity. That is the difference between I and them."
Asked if he was justifying his remarks, he shot back, "What do we call those who behave inhumanely in the name of Hinduism and those who play politics with death?"
As for BJP members launching a protest against him from Friday for calling them terrorists, he said, "Let them go ahead. It's a democracy."
On the rise of communal politics in the state, the Chief Minister wanted to know who was responsible. "They (saffron outfits) do not have any other issue except communal to harp on. They think there will be polarisation of votes this way. But it will go against them," he warned, stressing once again that his government would take stringent action against any organisation, whether PFI , SDPI or Bajrang Dal if it sowed seeds of communalism, and abetted conflict between people of different religions.
Mr Siddaramaiah also slammed BJP national chief, Amit Shah for seeking an account of the money released from the Centre to Karnataka, saying, " "Who is he to ask for an account? I am answerable to the legislature and people of Karnataka, not Mr Amit Shah."
In reply to another question, he said the Centre had given Karnataka Rs 11,000 crore lesser than its actual share of funds over the past three- and-a- half years.
"There is also discrimination in the amount of calamity funds released to the state. They gave Rs 1500 crore as calamity funds to the state, but Rs 3800 crore to Gujarat and Rs 8000 crore to Maharashtra."
On BJP leader, V Somanna's challenge that he would retire from politics if Mr Siddaramaiah won from Gundlupet or Chamundeswari, he asserted, "I will win. But let him not retire." Addressing the Sadana Samavesha in Mysuru, he expressed confidence that the Congress will return to power and cited the overwhelming response to his tour.
