BENGALURU:
BJP national president Amit Shah, having received a surprise announcement from the
Election Commission declaring the date of polls in Karnataka, went on the offensive against chief minister Siddaramaiah by citing that “divisive” politics was being played to stop BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa from coming to power.
“I have again and again reiterated my stance that the
Veerashaiva-Lingayat division is being brought about by chief minister Siddaramaiah to avoid BS Yeddyurappa from coming to power,” he said.
Shah, however, said that Yeddyurappa and the BJP will be undeterred by this divisive politics as the community has understood the situation.
“The Lingayats understand the situation and will give a befitting reply with the ballot in the upcoming elections by voting Siddaramaiah out of power,” he said.
When questioned on whether the party will entertain the pontiffs and seers of the Lingayats, and other communities, who are seeking tickets from the BJP, Shah said: “We have not taken any call on this matter. It is not that we are against seers and pontiffs contesting but there has been no decision taken yet.”
The national president said the party will decide the candidates based on win ability factor and nothing else.
The BJP Shah was critical of the Congress government and its alleged “apathy” towards the farmers plight in the state.
“Wherever Congress has come to power there have been only suicides and increase in them. But wherever the BJP has come to power there has been only development of farmers and even doubling of their incomes,” he said.
On any possibility of an alliance with the regional party of JDS, Shah said:” The BJP will contest in all the 224 seats in its own merit and the JDS will do the same on its own. We are confident of coming to power, with a majority, on our own.”
