Hassan: Coming out strongly in defence of Home Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted here on Thursday that he saw no reason for him to resign over the murder of alleged Hindu activist , Deepak Rao in Mangaluru as demanded by the BJP and blamed the saffron outfit of instigating communal clashes to destroy the peace of the state.
Mr Siddaramaiah, who was speaking to reporters in Arasikere town, where he laid the foundation stone for various developmental projects, said investigation was underway to nab those responsible for Rao’s murder and already four persons had been apprehended for it by the police.
“The state government will look into the communal angle, if any. But it is the BJP, which is deliberately destroying the peace of the state,” he charged.
Asked about allegations that the Congress was trying to divide the Lingayat/Veerashaiva community, he said, “We have not given any minister the task of dividing the community. The BJP is making these charges only to gain political mileage.”
On the Mahadayi water sharing dispute between Goa and Karnataka, Mr Siddaramaiah accused state BJP chief, B S Yeddyurappa and Goa Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar of playing politics on the issue and trying to fool the people of North Karnataka.
“If he is serious about resolving the dispute then Mr Parrikar should file an affidavit before the tribunal agreeing to release 7.56 tmc ft of water to Karnataka,” he insisted.
Denying that he was involved in illegal denotification of land as alleged by the BJP, he recalled that the case was closed.
