Congress leader and Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday alleged that both Hindus and minorities were murdered because of RSS and BJP after the State BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel stated that Hindus were murdered during the Siddaramaiah tenure.
While asserting BJP is lying, Siddaramaiah stated, "Both Hindus & minorities were murdered because of RSS & BJP. When Paresh Mesta died, BJP made it a big issue, case was given to CBI, but nothing happened."
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Earlier on Monday, Siddaramaiah alleged that 'Manuvada' and 'Hindutva' encourage murder, violence and discrimination. The former CM said he is also a Hindu who follows Hindu Dharma but stands against Hindutva.
"Hindutva and Hindu Dharma are different. I am always projected as anti-Hindu and anti-Hindu Dharma. I'm not anti-Hindu Dharma. I'm also a Hindu, but I'm anti-Manuvada and Hindutva," Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Addressing a gathering, he said, "Does any religion encourage murder or violence? But Manuvada and Hindutva encourage murder, violence and discrimination. That's the difference between Hindu Dharma and Hindutva." The Leader of Opposition had earlier too made his anti-Hindutva stands clear.
He claimed that the "secret" behind Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai not expanding the Cabinet is to avoid making BJP strongman BS Yediyurappa's son as a minister. Speaking to reporters, he also alleged that "getting more bribes" was the other reason why Bommai is not undertaking the exercise and keeping many portfolios with himself.
Assembly elections are due in Karnataka by May.