Mangaluru: Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused the BJP of raking up the Ram Janmabhoomi issue whenever elections were round the corner to grab a few votes.
“They have enjoyed four years of power (at the Centre) but did not remember Rama. Now after failing to deliver on their promises and afraid that they could be in trouble, they remember Rama,” he observed caustically.
Mr Siddaramaiah , who was participating in the 'Samudayika Sammelana,' organised by the KCF, SSF and SYS organisations in Mangaluru, called the Indian Constitution a sacred book that reflected the themes of all holy scriptures and warned people against those who wanted to change it.
“A minister says the Constitution has to be changed. He says this because it preaches equality. People need to be careful about such individuals,” he stressed.
Condemning those who divided society in the name of religion and God, he said, “No religion preaches hatred. Instead they all speak about love and harmony. But some people want to divide society in the name of God and religion. There is no greater dishonesty than this.” Addressing the Muslim leaders, he said had he returned to power he would have increased the funds for minorities. “When I took charge Rs 4 crore was allocated for minorities. But by the end of my tenure the amount had increased to Rs 3,100 crore. If I had returned to power I would have increased it to Rs 10,000 crore,” he declared, adding, “Some accuse me of appeasing one religion and attacking another. But this is not true. I go by the Constitution which preaches equality.”
‘BJP can’t topple coalition govt’
Former CM Siddaramaiah has declared that the BJP will never be successful in toppling the JD(S)- Congress coalition government in the state.
“The BJP should clearly know that they do not have the majority. They are trying to topple the government through indirect means though they have failed in their earlier efforts,” he told reporters at Mangaluru on Monday.
“They are at it again now with the help of money. If Rs 25 crore is used for Operation Kamala where does the money come from? Whose money is that? It’s money from corrupt means,” he alleged.
