MYSURU/KALABURAGI: While accusing the BJP of playing with the emotions of people in the name of God, former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said he’s part of an initiative to build a Ram Mandir at his village, Siddaramanahundi, in Mysuru district.
He said those involved in collection of donations for Ram Mandir in Ayodhya should be accountable to the people of the country, as it is public money. “It is said Rs 1,500 crore has been collected so far. If they don’t give an account, it gives rise to suspicion about misuse. In the past too, money and bricks were collected for Ram Mandir during the Ayodhya agitation... did they account for it?” he asked.
Senior BJP functionary KS Eshwarappa hit back at Siddaramaiah, terming him anti-Hindu. “There’s no difference between the former CM and PFI general secretary Anis Ahmed who has been booked for requesting Muslims not to contribute for Ram Mandir construction,” he alleged.
Chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday had lashed out at the opposition for casting aspersions on the donation drive. “None is compelled to donate,” he had said.