BJP chief Amit Shah’s claim on cow slaughter ban is a poll gimmick: Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy

BENGALURU: Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday said BJP national president Amit Shah’s remarks on banning cow slaughter if his party comes to power in the state is just an election gimmick.

Speaking to reporters, Reddy said if the BJP is concerned about protecting cows, let the Central government ban export of meat as 75 per cent of cows are slaughtered for export.

“After Modi government came to power at the Centre, there has been 14 per cent increase in meat export from India. Also, why have the BJP governments in many states not banned cow slaughter? They are just trying to make it an issue during elections,” Reddy said. The minister, however, said he supports the ban on cow slaughter as he feels that no animal should be killed.

On Shah’s remarks that the party will not spare anyone involved in killing of Hindu activists in the state, Reddy said the police have arrested the accused in all cases. BJP leaders, he said, are only talking about Hindu activists’ murders, but what about those killed by members of pro-Hindu outfits, he asked.

“The Congress government will not tolerate any such act and action will be taken against all those involved in such murders,” he said and asked BJP leaders to face elections on real issues and not politicise murders.

Reddy said he had asked for a party ticket for his daughter from Jayanagar Assembly segment, which he represented earlier. “She will contest, only if the party gives a ticket or she will campaign for any candidate who gets the party ticket,” he said.