Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to BJP: Didn’t BS Yeddyurappa celebrate Tipu Jayanti?

MANGALURU: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday tried silencing Bhartiya Janta Party’s (BJP) opposition on Tipu Jayant celebrations by taking a dig at Karnataka BJP president and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, who had once attended a Tipu Jayanti function 'dressed as Tipu'.

Speaking on the sidelines of various projects scheduled to be launched in Mangaluru, the chief minister asked the BJP that why they didn’t they oppose the Tipu Jayanti celebrations when BSY had dressed as Tipu with a crown and sword in a Tipu Jayanti function.

He said the government will go ahead with Tipu Jayanti celebration and added that there is no need to seek anybody's permission for that.

The chief minister also lashed out at union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde, who on Saturday demanded the removal of his name from the invitation for the state’s Tipu Jayanti celebrations.

Siddaramaiah told reporters that protocol mandates that Hegde’s name be included in invites for all government events. However, it is left to an individual whether to take part or not in the celebrations.

“It is not possible to force those who are not interested,” he added.
 
He denied there will be law and order problem because of Tipu Jayanti, stating one or two persons opposing does not matter.