Bengaluru: President Ram Nath Kovind’s praise for former Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan during his address at the diamond jubilee celebrations of Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, sparked a war of words between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP.
The saffron party had earlier opposed the Congress government's plans for 'Tipu Jayanti' celebrations on November 10. The BJP alleged that the state government has "misused" the office of the President by getting Tipu's name mentioned in the speech while the Congress said the opposition party should be "ashamed" for levelling this charge.
The celebrations have been opposed tooth and nail by the BJP which sees Tipu Sultan as a "religious bigot" and a "brutal killer". "Tipu Sultan died a heroic death fighting the British. He was also a pioneer in the development and use of Mysore rockets in warfare. This technology was later adopted by the Europeans," Kovind said while noting that Karnataka is a land of formidable soldiers.
As the President made the reference about Tipu Sultan in his speech to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature, Congress members cheered by thumping their desks.
"Congratulations to Hon. President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind for a statesman like address to the Karnataka legislature. @rashtrapatibhvn," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted on his personal twitter handle @siddaramaiah.
Hitting out at the state government, Opposition Leader in the Council KS Eshwarappa alleged that government has "misused" the office of the President by getting Tipu's name mentioned in the speech. "I condemn it....it is an insult done to people of Karnataka by the state government. If we had raised objections when President mentioned Tipu, it would have lead to violation of protocol...," he added
Reacting to the allegations, state Congress Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao said the BJP should be "ashamed."
He said that “by trying to say that president has just read out a speech written by somebody, they are insulting the office of the President. and the President himself."
