Hosapete MLA, Sriramulu aide ignore BJP diktat, celebrate Tipu Jayanti

Ballari: Violating the party's diktat to oppose Tipu Jayanti, Hosapete BJP MLA Anand Singh participated in the government organised celebration on Friday. "A fierce debate is going on whether to celebrate Tipu Jayanti or not. Even my party (BJP) is opposing it. But in my opinion, one should not oppose this Jayanti by raking up issues from the past,” he said, speaking after inaugurating the celebration. On reports that the state BJP is likely to question him on his defiance of the diktat, Mr Singh said, “I do what my conscience tells me,” and added, “Humanity is bigger than any ideology.” Mr Singh, born to a Muslim mother and a Rajput father,  is a two-time legislator from Hosapete and is going all out to win his third election in 2018 from the seat where Muslims make up for 40,000 votes.

In Ballari too, a few BJP leaders celebrated Tipu Jayanti. BJP MP B Sriramulu’s close associate and Cowl Bazaar corporator Govindaraju organized the event. Insiders claimed that though Mr Sriramulu did not come out in the open, he organized the event through his associates since Muslim voters play a crucial role Ballari (ST) segment.