BJP divides society, Congress knits it together: K'taka CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru: Lambasting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for staying away from a peace committee meeting in Bantwal, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused them of pursuing a hidden agenda of keeping the coastal region on the boil.
Siddaramaiah, who arrived in Mysuru on a two-day visit to launch several developmental schemes, told the media, "It is their hidden agenda to stir up communal issues and keep them alive. Have they built Ram mandir in Ram Janam bhoomi so far? They ignite fire and warm themselves. Their intention is not to douse the flame or resolve disputes, but we (Congressmen) extinguish the fire. This is the difference between BJP and Congress." .
On Union minister for state commerce and industries Nirmala Seetharaman's statement that the law and order problem would affect investment, he said, "Where is the law and order problem except for that in Mangaluru which is created by the BJP? Let her make such statements in UP, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. The law and order situation is under control even in Mangaluru. It is only the BJP which is creating problems."
When asked about regulating activities of SDPI, PFI and others, and if the cases had increased after withdrawing old ones against these organisations, he said: "We have not withdrawn any cases against anyone. We have directed police officers to initiate action on any organisation be it PFI or SDPI or RSS or Bajrang Dal or Srirama Sene if they make inflammatory speeches. With elections within a year, they are stoking trouble. Mr Yeddyurappa is now 75. It is his last attempt, so he wants to become CM somehow. He is frustrated and desperate, but it is not possible. Will people forget that he had been to jail?"
Defending the statement of forests minister B Ramanath Rai, he said: "He has said that action should be initiated against those who take law into their hands. What is wrong in it?"
On BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje's statement that the CM's decision to send Mr Kempaiah to handle the situation in Mangaluru had demoralized the police force, he shot back "Is there any truth in that? Where is it that I have sent him? I have not asked him to go. Without knowing facts, she has made baseless allegations.”
