BJP govt. can act tough on jihadi forces: Adityanath

The Bharatiya Janata Party government can act tough on jihadi forces, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in Bhatkal of Uttara Kannada district on Tuesday.

Addressing an election campaign of the BJP, Mr. Adityanath said a place like Bhatkal should be known for its Shiva temple (in Murudeshwar) and the good natural surroundings. “But the name [Bhatkal] creates fear among people because of the activities of jihadi elements,” he said and accused the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of failing to rein in jihadi elements. He added that the jihadi elements were a threat to national security.

Mr. Adityanath said it was unfortunate that it was from the land of Bhatkal that some youth got influenced by jihadi elements and murdered U. Chittaranjan, BJP MLA, in 1996. This murder led to communal riots claiming the lives of 17 people. The absence of a good government is the reason for jihadi elements to “prosper”, he said.

Accusing the Siddaramaiah government of dividing people on caste and regional lines and failing to reach Union government’s welfare schemes to the needy, Mr. Adityanath said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa would put Karnataka on the path of development. The BJP government would have policies that addresses concerns of people, he said. Mr. Adityanath earlier visited the Murudeshwar temple.