Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday criticized Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for their double standards in opposing the celebration of Tipu Jayanti since Congress government in the state is celebrating it.
Participating in the celebration of Tipu Jayanti at Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that BJP leaders wanted to politicize the celebration of Tipu Jayanti and are opposing just for the sake of opposing it. “I want to remind the people of Karnataka how B S Yeddyurappa visited Tipu Samadhi and posed for a photo shoot. I want to remind the people of Karnataka who have written a foreword for a book on Tipu Sultan. Is it not same Jagadish Shettar who is busy in opposing the celebration of Tipu Jayanti. These BJP leaders are spreading lies on Tipu Sultan,’’ the chief minister said.
Coming down heavily on BJP leaders for their double standards, he said Tipu Sultan would be a patriot when BJP celebrates Tipu Jayanti but becomes a traitor when Congress celebrates Tipu Jayanti. “Now it has become a habit for BJP leaders to find fault with whatever Congress government does in the state. I hope the almighty will give them wisdom,’’ he said.
Making it clear that state government has not made arrangements for the celebration of Tipu Jayanti with an eye on votes or to appease minorities in the state. “We are celebrating Tipu Jayanti because he fought with the British for freedom of this country. The freedom struggle began in the country when Tipu fought with the British. The BJP leaders are politicizing the celebration of Tipu Jayanti with an eye on Assembly elections in 2018. I am confident of people will not believe BJP leaders,’’ he said.
