Bhatkal: “This time, the State Assembly elections will not be fought between Congress and BJP, but between the ideologies of Savarkar and Tipu. It is up to the people to decide if they want a patriot like Veer Savarkar or a religious fanatic like Tipu,” said BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel.

He noted this while speaking after inaugurating a meeting of ‘Page Pramukhs’ of Bhatkal-Honnavar Assembly constituency at Janata Vidyalaya in Shirali in Bhatkal taluk on Tuesday.

Kateel said, former chief minister Siddaramaiah who created a divide between the Hindus and Muslims by celebrating Tipu Jayanthi is now trying to divide the Hindu community in the name of Veerashaivas and Lingayats. Even former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy instead of uniting the society is trying to divide the Brahmin community with his derogatory statements.

“H D Kumaraswamy who has a presence in only three districts is moving around with the dream of becoming the chief minister again. He began making caste statements when he realised that he cannot rise to power,” Kateel said.

“Hindu religion and Hinduism are not different. There are no two religions among Hindus,” Kateel opined.

‘Cong a terrorist outfit’

“Congress party is itself a terrorist organisation. Many communal riots took place because of their appeasement policy,” BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel alleged.

25 Hindu killings

Speaking to press persons in Karwar on Tuesday, Kateel gave a response to Siddaramaiah’s allegations that the highest Hindu murders took place under the BJP. He said, the Congress encouraged communal riots. It was Siddaramaiah who released  PFI activists from jail. As many as 25 Hindus were killed during the Siddaramaiah’s regime.