Hindutva terrorists! Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah keeps the barbs flying

Mysuru: Far from being apologetic for his remarks made on Wednesday against the  BJP and Bajrang Dal, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah once again called their members "Hindutva terrorists" here on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters  at three different places, the Malemahadeswara hills,  Sargur and Mysuru airport, he said, "I am also a Hindu but with humanity and they are Hindus without humanity. That is the difference between I and them." 

Asked if he was justifying his remarks, he shot back, "What do we call those who behave inhumanely in the name of Hinduism and those who play politics with death?"

As for BJP members launching a protest against him from Friday for calling them terrorists, he said, "Let them go ahead. It's a democracy."  

On the rise of communal politics in the state, the Chief Minister wanted to know who was responsible. "They (saffron outfits) do not have any other issue except communal to harp on.  They think  there will be polarisation of votes this way. But it will go against them," he warned, stressing once again that his government would take stringent action against any organisation, whether PFI , SDPI or Bajrang Dal if it sowed  seeds of communalism, and abetted conflict between people of different religions.

Mr Siddaramaiah also slammed BJP national chief,   Amit Shah for seeking an account of the money released from the Centre to Karnataka, saying, " "Who is he to ask for an account? I am answerable to the legislature and people of Karnataka, not Mr Amit Shah." 

In reply to another question, he said the Centre had given Karnataka  Rs 11,000 crore lesser than its actual share of funds over the past three- and-a- half years.

"There is also discrimination  in the amount of calamity funds released to the state. They gave Rs 1500 crore as calamity funds to the state, but  Rs 3800 crore to Gujarat  and Rs 8000 crore to Maharashtra." 

On BJP leader, V Somanna's challenge that he would retire from politics if Mr Siddaramaiah won from Gundlupet or Chamundeswari, he asserted, "I will  win. But let him not retire." Addressing the Sadana Samavesha in Mysuru, he expressed  confidence that the  Congress will return  to power and cited the overwhelming response to his tour.