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Siddaramaiah attacks BJP, calls Yeddyurappa a chameleon

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly criticised BJP’s ’double standards’ and called the former chief minister and BJP state president Yeddyurappa, a chameleon.

Speaking during the inauguration and ground-breaking ceremony of 15 development programmes in Belthangady on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said the political stands of BJP and its leaders have been totally contradictory while in power and while out of power.

"Yeddyurappa is raising hue and cry on the farmers’ loan waiver now. In 2010, to a question by Ugrappa in the Legislative Council, he had said that loan waiver was not possible and had remarked that the government does not have any machine to print currency notes. But now, the same Yeddyurappa is singing a new tune and urging the government to waive farmers’ loans," said Siddaramaiah, adding, "However, the state government has waived farmers’ loans availed in cooperative banks."

Tipu Jayanti

Comparing Yeddyurappa to a chameleon, the chief minister said that when Yeddyurappa was the president of KJP, he had celebrated Tipu Jayanti and called Tipu a patriot. "The former chief minister had worn headgear and held sword in his hand, with Shobha Karandlaje standing beside him. He had took an oath on Allah saying he will not enter BJP again, during the programme. But now the same Yeddyurappa is calling Tipu a fanatic," he commented.

"Yeddyurappa’s foul play of ordering food from hotels during his stay at Dalit colonies, is also revealed," said Siddaramaiah.

The chief minister said that the state government is firm on its stand to observe Tipu Jayanti along with the Jayantis of other great personalities.

Criticising the double standards of BJP on Tipu Sultan, Siddaramaiah pointed out that, in his foreword written to Mangalore University, former vice chancellor Sheikh Ali’s book ’Tipu: A Crusader’, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar had praised Tipu for his bravery and patriotism.

’Double-faced’

The chief minister asked people whether they believe in BJP which has two faces.

Reacting to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s critical remarks on the state government during a recent public function in Hubballi, Siddaramaiah said, "Yogi Adityanath knows nothing about Karnataka. The state government does not need his counsel on Karnataka’s development, we know better what needs to be done for our state. Adityanath better focus on the development of Uttar Pradesh which is a ’Jungle Raj’."

He also condemned the statement by MP Anant Kumar Hegade on the ’change of Constitution’ and said that Constitutional values are in peril.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi too, Siddaramaiah imitated the famous slogan ’Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas’, in the Modi’s typical style and said that the slogan is confined to words. But, the Congress has taken everybody in society in the path of progress, unlike the BJP.

Also criticising Modi’s ’Man Ki Baat’, Siddaramaiah said that the Congress believes in ’Kaam Ki Baat’. "Karnataka Government has successfully implemented various programmes meant for all people irrespective of caste and creed. The motto of the state government is to make Karnataka free of hunger, huts, droughts and malnutrition. But BJP is claiming to make Karnataka free of Congress. What is the contribution of BJP to the poor people, farmers, Dalits, minority and women," he sought to know.

"Many Congress leaders have sacrificed their lives for the nation. Has any BJP leader given his life for the country?" the chief minister asked.