BENGALURU/ MYSURU: With party leaders in New Delhi backing him, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah upped the ante with his stinging "Hindutva terrorists" remarks against the BJP, RSS and Bajrang Dal on a day when speculation was rife of a tacit support to a state-wise shut-down called on January 25 by pro-Kannada outfits to pressurize Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in and resolve the dispute over sharing water of the river Mahadayi.
Speaking to the media at three different places, Male Mahadeswara Hills, Sargur and Mysuru airport, the Chief Minister added more insult to injury of right-wing leaders, saying "I am also a Hindu but with humanity, and they are Hindus without humanity. That is the difference between them and me. What do we call those who behave inhumanely in the name of Hinduism and those who play politics with death?"
His day ended with a meeting with members of Mahadayi agitation co-ordination committee, where he assured them that he would hold an all party meeting before the deadline of February 5 set by farmers and lead a delegation to meet Mr Modi.
At the meeting, activists led by Raitha Sena Karnataka president, Mr Veeresh Sorabadamath, handed in a memorandum addressed to Congress president, Rahul Gandhi, seeking the leader's intervention and seeking a clarification on the party's stand ahead of Assembly elections in the state. Stepping out of the meeting, Mr Veeresh said "People are watching as to who is pro-farmers, and who is not. We will continue our agitation if our demands are not met."
