(PTI)
BJP president Amit Shah today accused the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka of trying to divide Hindus and being the “most corrupt” one in the country. On a two-day visit to the poll-bound Karnataka, Shah said the move to accord religious minority tag to Lingayats and Veerashaiva Linagayats was an attempt to ‘divide’ the Hindus.
“Just ahead of the (assembly) elections in Karnataka, they have tried to divide Lingayats and Veerashaivas, also Lingayats and other communities, by announcing minority status for them,” Shah told reporters here.
Questioning the timing of the move, he asked the Siddaramaiah government, “What were you doing for five years?” “In 2013 when your own (UPA) government was in power at the Centre, they had rejected it. Why was Siddaramaiah silent then. This is an attempt to divide the Hindus..,” he said.
Shah said it was not a programme towards the welfare of the Veerashaiva and Lingayat community but a “conspiracy” to stop Yeddyurappa, considered a Lingayat strongman, from becoming the chief minister.
“Lingayat community understands it and I’m sure the people of Karnataka will answer it through ballots,” he said. The Karnataka Cabinet had recently decided to recommend to the Centre to accord the religious minority tag to Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats, apparently to cut into the vote bank of the BJP, which significantly banks on their support.
