CM Siddaramaiah defends state-sponsored Tipu Jayanti

Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has denied claims made by state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa and asserted that no Congress MLA will join the saffron party.

Speaking to mediapersons on his arrival at Mysuru airport Sunday morning, the CM reacted to a claim by Mr Yeddyurappa that all Congress MLAs were heading towards the BJP and said, “It is only an illusion. He has lied so many times. Lying is another strategy of theirs.”  On the celebration of Tipu Jayanti he said, “Tipu was a freedom fighter who fought the British. What is wrong in celebrating the birth anniversary of a freedom fighter? We have done it once, we will celebrate it this year also. We will take all precautions to ensure that it is celebrated peacefully.”

To a question on the RSS claim that Tipu Jayanti goes against Hinduism, he said, “It is a misinterpretation by the narrow minded. What more can we expect from the Sangh parivar? Their objective is to disturb peace.” On the attack on Kannadigas in Goa he said, “We have directed the Chief Secretary to speak to his counterpart in Goa to ensure protection for Kannadigas there.”

To a statement by former Mysuru MP H. Vishwanath that the critical statement of former Union minister Mr C.M. Ibrahim on his performance as CM was true and that the Congress was not in good health, the CM said, “I do not need the certificate of Mr Ibrahim or Mr Vishwanath. They are disgruntled leaders, we can never satisfy them.”