<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-releases-list-of-218-candidates-for-karnataka-polls-130629">Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah</a> has said that his party was not going to enter into an alliance with any party.&nbsp</p>

<p>Asserting that Congress was a secular party he said that they were not forming an alliance with Janata Dal(Secular).</p>

<p>Responding to question on if he will contest from Badami constituency, the chief minister said that he would abide by his party's decision.</p>

<p>He said, "Whatever the party leadership says I&nbspwill abide by it".</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah was keen on contesting the elections from two constituencies Chamundeshwari and&nbspBadami. The leader was, however, given the ticket for only Chamundeshwari constituency.</p>

<p>The chief minister also hit out at the BJP President claiming that Amit Shah was not a Hindu&nbsphimself.&nbsp</p>

<p>He said, " Amit Shah said I&nbspam not a Hindu, but Amit Shah himself is not a Hindu, he is a Jain. He might believe in Hindutva but let him come out and say he is Hindu and a Jain".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">CM Siddaramaiah: We are not going to enter into an alliance with any party. We are a secular party.<br />
Reporter: But Janata Dal(S) is also secular<br />
CM Siddaramaiah: Who told you JDS is a secular party? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/AsDrc7JAvc">pic.twitter.com/AsDrc7JAvc</a></p>
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Asserting that Congress was a secular party he said that they were not forming an alliance with Janata Dal(Secular)

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has said that his party was not going to enter into an alliance with any party. Asserting that Congress was a secular party he said that they were not forming an alliance with Janata Dal(Secular). Responding to question on if he will contest from Badami constituency, the chief minister said that he would abide by his party's decision. He said, "Whatever the party leadership says I&nbspwill abide by it". Siddaramaiah was keen on contesting the elections from two constituencies Chamundeshwari and&nbspBadami. The leader was, however, given the ticket for only Chamundeshwari constituency. The chief minister also hit out at the BJP President claiming that Amit Shah was not a Hindu&nbsphimself. He said, " Amit Shah said I&nbspam not a Hindu, but Amit Shah himself is not a Hindu, he is a Jain. He might believe in Hindutva but let him come out and say he is Hindu and a Jain". CM Siddaramaiah: We are not going to enter into an alliance with any party. We are a secular party. Reporter: But Janata Dal(S) is also secular CM Siddaramaiah: Who told you JDS is a secular party? #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/AsDrc7JAvc — ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2018 ×

We will not enter into alliance with any party: Siddaramaiah

<p>Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) has emerged as the biggest surprise in the run-up to this year's Assembly elections in Karnataka. A party which was out of the political depth for more than a decade is suddenly in news. The reason for this is the support it receives from the Vokkaligas, the traditional supporters of the JD(S) and a dominant caste in the South Karnataka region.</p>

<p>The ruling Congress is also aware of the Vokkaliga consolidation around JD(S). Congress insiders says that the strong backward caste, Dalit and Muslim polarisation, coupled with lack of any outreach towards the community, has led to Vokkaligas to rally around JD(S) in greater gusto. This community till today has given five chief ministers to the state.</p>

<p>The Vokkaligas hold sway in 10 districts of Karnataka like Mandya, Hassan, Mysore, Kolar and Chikamagalur - mostly in southern part of the state.</p>

<p>Congress sources say that in earlier elections, a part of the Vokkaliga community voted for the other parties, but this time the consolidation around JD(S) seems to have grown even more. Even Asadudin Owaisi has declared support for JD(S). He will not be fielding candidates and would campaign for the party if required.</p>

<p>This makes Congress more nervous than the BJP. The BJP's Lingayat-led alliance has traditionally never received a substantial chunk of this vote which dominates the old Mysore region. Vokkaligas are dominant peasantry and form the bedrock of Deve Gowda's vote bank. In this election they seem to be rallying hard around the former Prime Minister because they feel neglected by the Congress.</p>

<p>The BJP on the other hand understands that better performance of JD(S) means weak performance of the Congress in South Karnataka. BJP's strength lies in North Karnataka which is further sub-divided into Bombay Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka.</p>

<p>Few months back, Congress president Rahul Gandhi wanted agriculture minister of Karnataka Krishna Byre Gowda - a Vokkaliga - to take over as the chief of party's Karnataka unit. Reliable sources said that Gowda wanted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the same page as he did not want to be reduced as a symbolic head leading the Congress in the state.</p>

<p>Apparently, the chief minister did not take much interest in the proposal. Many say that lack of outreach is a result of acrimonious parting he had with JD(S) leadership years back.</p>

<p>Today, Siddaramiah is the face of Kannadiga pride and Dalit-Muslim and backward caste consolidation. Congress even has the number advantage over BJP but Vokkaligas still have the potential to derail Congress's comeback campaign by denying it a simple majority. Till polling, the game is on.</p>


While the BJP is banking on its Lingayat support, the rallying of Vokkaligas around JD(S) is making Congress nervous.

Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) has emerged as the biggest surprise in the run-up to this year's Assembly elections in Karnataka. A party which was out of the political depth for more than a decade is suddenly in news. The reason for this is the support it receives from the Vokkaligas, the traditional supporters of the JD(S) and a dominant caste in the South Karnataka region. The ruling Congress is also aware of the Vokkaliga consolidation around JD(S). Congress insiders says that the strong backward caste, Dalit and Muslim polarisation, coupled with lack of any outreach towards the community, has led to Vokkaligas to rally around JD(S) in greater gusto. This community till today has given five chief ministers to the state. The Vokkaligas hold sway in 10 districts of Karnataka like Mandya, Hassan, Mysore, Kolar and Chikamagalur - mostly in southern part of the state. Congress sources say that in earlier elections, a part of the Vokkaliga community voted for the other parties, but this time the consolidation around JD(S) seems to have grown even more. Even Asadudin Owaisi has declared support for JD(S). He will not be fielding candidates and would campaign for the party if required. This makes Congress more nervous than the BJP. The BJP's Lingayat-led alliance has traditionally never received a substantial chunk of this vote which dominates the old Mysore region. Vokkaligas are dominant peasantry and form the bedrock of Deve Gowda's vote bank. In this election they seem to be rallying hard around the former Prime Minister because they feel neglected by the Congress. The BJP on the other hand understands that better performance of JD(S) means weak performance of the Congress in South Karnataka. BJP's strength lies in North Karnataka which is further sub-divided into Bombay Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka. Few months back, Congress president Rahul Gandhi wanted agriculture minister of Karnataka Krishna Byre Gowda - a Vokkaliga - to take over as the chief of party's Karnataka unit. Reliable sources said that Gowda wanted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the same page as he did not want to be reduced as a symbolic head leading the Congress in the state. Apparently, the chief minister did not take much interest in the proposal. Many say that lack of outreach is a result of acrimonious parting he had with JD(S) leadership years back. Today, Siddaramiah is the face of Kannadiga pride and Dalit-Muslim and backward caste consolidation. Congress even has the number advantage over BJP but Vokkaligas still have the potential to derail Congress's comeback campaign by denying it a simple majority. Till polling, the game is on.

The Vokkaliga fix may complicate Congress campaign in Karnataka

<p>India's IT hub Bengaluru has become infamous for its water problems - be it frothing lakes or the shortage in drinking water. Many experts have predicted doomsday for the city, some even pegging it to be the next Cape Town which is staring at a drought.</p>

<p>But these problems have not cropped up overnight. Many leaders, over successive elections, have promised clean drinking water to the city. Yet, more than 40 per cent population of the IT city has been left to fend for itself when it comes to potable water.</p>

<p>"Forty five per cent of Bangaloreans depend on ground water resources and water from other sources like tankers etc. The tragedy of the city is that it is governed by mafia - water, waste and land mafia. And they are dictating terms. During election time, politicians make promises about water supply from various parts like Western Ghats etc. But the reality is - there is no water at these sources. Even in Western Ghats, last year I noticed decline in water yield," said TV Ramachandra, Professor at prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc).</p>

<p>In 2008, 110 villages were added under the Bengaluru Municipal limits. All these villages were promised Cauvery water connection, but they are still waiting for it 10 years later.</p>

<p>"Water connectivity is very low. There are several apartments in the city's outskirts who do not receive Cauvery water. Most of them either have borewell, or they buy water from tankers which is a mafia in itself," lamented Murali Govindarajulu, who live in one such society.</p>

<p>Whether it is the decades-old frothing lakes, or the drying up groundwater table or the steady rise in temperature, the citizens here have been crying hoarse to successive governments to bring sustainable change.</p>

<p>So how successful has the Siddaramaiah government been in bringing change? Looking at the water scarcity and toxic lakes - not much.</p>

<p>For environmentalists like Kshitij Urs, who has actively campaigned for the city's water bodies, taking the legal route has enabled them capture the government's attention.</p>

<p>"In the past five years, there has been a significant change in the way we've been able to get the government look at the issue. Obviously, we had to force them through legal interventions because they did not bother when people got together and protested. The high court very clearly said that the common water has to be protected and encroachments, for which we had gone to the court, had to be removed," Urs said.</p>

<p>It has certainly not been all rosy for the citizen activists of Bengaluru. In 2014, the government passed the landmark law called the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Act which gave substantial powers to the Karnataka Lake Development Authority in the state. But the same government that claimed credit for this progressive law, repealed it just a few days before the election dates were announced this year.</p>

<p>"It was a mischief that the then chief minister had played on Karnataka because he had made it an authority but registered it as a society. And never made it a law. So even when there were encroachments happening, they were not able to do anything. So we got the law passed. That law was indeed an extremely progressive law. Unfortunately, that got reversed, just before the elections got announced," Urs said.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, repealing the law in question was not the only attempt made by the government to make lake encroachments easy. Scientists have also criticised the move to handover all lakes to the Minor Irrigation department, that has no expertise to maintain the fragile and unique ecosystem of each lake. The lack of expertise in looking after the lakes could lead to their eventual death and encroachment.</p>

<p>"Quality of people who are getting elected into the system, that is the root cause of all the problems. The day when bangaloreans assert and start electing the right people, we will regain the glory of Bangalore, and Karnataka. We need to do that," said Professor Ramachandra.</p>

<p>In 2015-16, the government spent Rs 4,259 lakh on lakes, the figure was revised to Rs 8,171 lakh in the following year. In 2017-18, it substantially increased to Rs 22,321 lakh, but the amount was almost halved to Rs 11,322 lakhs in 2018-19 outlay.</p>

<p>Citizens have also been critical of the government for not being able to plug the leak, literally, as nearly 50 per cent of the water pumped to Bengaluru is lost due to leakages. Added to that, rainwater harvesting has not been effectively implemented too.</p>

<p>While precious little has been done to save the lakes despite the NGT and high court orders, the government seems more focused on implementing big-ticket projects, like planning to bring desalinated water all the way from the Arabian Sea, or pumping Bellandur lakes's treated water to dried up lakes in Anekal and Kolar.</p>

<p>Surveys have shows that Bengaluru water problem features right on top of the list for politicians this election season. But with barely any visible progress made when it comes to lake conservation or providing a clean and sustainable source of water to nearly 40 per cent of city's population, it will surely have a bearing on the minds of the voters as they head towards the polling booths on May 12.</p>


In 2008, 110 villages were added under the Bengaluru Municipal limits. All these villages were promised Cauvery water connection, but they are still waiting for it 10 years later.

India's IT hub Bengaluru has become infamous for its water problems - be it frothing lakes or the shortage in drinking water. Many experts have predicted doomsday for the city, some even pegging it to be the next Cape Town which is staring at a drought. But these problems have not cropped up overnight. Many leaders, over successive elections, have promised clean drinking water to the city. Yet, more than 40 per cent population of the IT city has been left to fend for itself when it comes to potable water. "Forty five per cent of Bangaloreans depend on ground water resources and water from other sources like tankers etc. The tragedy of the city is that it is governed by mafia - water, waste and land mafia. And they are dictating terms. During election time, politicians make promises about water supply from various parts like Western Ghats etc. But the reality is - there is no water at these sources. Even in Western Ghats, last year I noticed decline in water yield," said TV Ramachandra, Professor at prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc). In 2008, 110 villages were added under the Bengaluru Municipal limits. All these villages were promised Cauvery water connection, but they are still waiting for it 10 years later. "Water connectivity is very low. There are several apartments in the city's outskirts who do not receive Cauvery water. Most of them either have borewell, or they buy water from tankers which is a mafia in itself," lamented Murali Govindarajulu, who live in one such society. Whether it is the decades-old frothing lakes, or the drying up groundwater table or the steady rise in temperature, the citizens here have been crying hoarse to successive governments to bring sustainable change. So how successful has the Siddaramaiah government been in bringing change? Looking at the water scarcity and toxic lakes - not much. For environmentalists like Kshitij Urs, who has actively campaigned for the city's water bodies, taking the legal route has enabled them capture the government's attention. "In the past five years, there has been a significant change in the way we've been able to get the government look at the issue. Obviously, we had to force them through legal interventions because they did not bother when people got together and protested. The high court very clearly said that the common water has to be protected and encroachments, for which we had gone to the court, had to be removed," Urs said. It has certainly not been all rosy for the citizen activists of Bengaluru. In 2014, the government passed the landmark law called the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Act which gave substantial powers to the Karnataka Lake Development Authority in the state. But the same government that claimed credit for this progressive law, repealed it just a few days before the election dates were announced this year. "It was a mischief that the then chief minister had played on Karnataka because he had made it an authority but registered it as a society. And never made it a law. So even when there were encroachments happening, they were not able to do anything. So we got the law passed. That law was indeed an extremely progressive law. Unfortunately, that got reversed, just before the elections got announced," Urs said. Unfortunately, repealing the law in question was not the only attempt made by the government to make lake encroachments easy. Scientists have also criticised the move to handover all lakes to the Minor Irrigation department, that has no expertise to maintain the fragile and unique ecosystem of each lake. The lack of expertise in looking after the lakes could lead to their eventual death and encroachment. "Quality of people who are getting elected into the system, that is the root cause of all the problems. The day when bangaloreans assert and start electing the right people, we will regain the glory of Bangalore, and Karnataka. We need to do that," said Professor Ramachandra. In 2015-16, the government spent Rs 4,259 lakh on lakes, the figure was revised to Rs 8,171 lakh in the following year. In 2017-18, it substantially increased to Rs 22,321 lakh, but the amount was almost halved to Rs 11,322 lakhs in 2018-19 outlay. Citizens have also been critical of the government for not being able to plug the leak, literally, as nearly 50 per cent of the water pumped to Bengaluru is lost due to leakages. Added to that, rainwater harvesting has not been effectively implemented too. While precious little has been done to save the lakes despite the NGT and high court orders, the government seems more focused on implementing big-ticket projects, like planning to bring desalinated water all the way from the Arabian Sea, or pumping Bellandur lakes's treated water to dried up lakes in Anekal and Kolar. Surveys have shows that Bengaluru water problem features right on top of the list for politicians this election season. But with barely any visible progress made when it comes to lake conservation or providing a clean and sustainable source of water to nearly 40 per cent of city's population, it will surely have a bearing on the minds of the voters as they head towards the polling booths on May 12.

Karnataka elections: Bengaluru water scarcity a reality, but not a priority

<p>Congress and BJP accused each other of violation of model code of conduct in the poll-bound Karnataka.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Karnataka BJP filed a&nbsp;complaint against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah citing the violation of model code of conduct. BJP says CM bribed two women who welcomed him at Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru with Rs 2,000 each.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP Karnataka files complaint against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> Chief Minister Siddaramaiah citing violation of model code of conduct; BJP says CM bribed two women who welcomed him at Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru with Rs 2,000 each <a href="https://t.co/qPtGXvJpUS">pic.twitter.com/qPtGXvJpUS</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/979734493056598016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee filed a complaint with Election Commission against BJP President Amit Shah citing the violation of model code of conduct. Congress claimed that Shah handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakhs to the family of killed RSS worker Raju with an intention to polarise voters in Mysuru, the complaint stated.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> Pradesh Congress Committee files complaint with Election Commission against BJP President Amit Shah citing violation of model code of conduct;says Shah handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakhs to family of killed RSS worker Raju with an intention to polarise voters in Mysuru <a href="https://t.co/1opS6GrI6E">pic.twitter.com/1opS6GrI6E</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/979710672832552960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee filed a complaint with Election Commission against BJP President Amit Shah

Congress and BJP accused each other of violation of model code of conduct in the poll-bound Karnataka. The Karnataka BJP filed a complaint against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah citing the violation of model code of conduct. BJP says CM bribed two women who welcomed him at Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru with Rs 2,000 each. BJP Karnataka files complaint against #Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah citing violation of model code of conduct; BJP says CM bribed two women who welcomed him at Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru with Rs 2,000 each pic.twitter.com/qPtGXvJpUS — ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2018 × Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee filed a complaint with Election Commission against BJP President Amit Shah citing the violation of model code of conduct. Congress claimed that Shah handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakhs to the family of killed RSS worker Raju with an intention to polarise voters in Mysuru, the complaint stated. #Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee files complaint with Election Commission against BJP President Amit Shah citing violation of model code of conduct;says Shah handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakhs to family of killed RSS worker Raju with an intention to polarise voters in Mysuru pic.twitter.com/1opS6GrI6E — ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2018 ×

Karnataka polls: Cong, BJP accuse each other of violation of model code of conduct

<p>BJP in Karnataka has made efforts to give a royal touch for its prospects in the May 12 assembly polls in the state, with its national President Amit Shah meeting the Wadiyar royal family of Mysuru today.</p>

<p>Shah, who is touring old Mysuru region, met the erstwhile royal family at their private palace here, triggering speculations about their supporting or joining the BJP.</p>

<p>According to sources, during the closed-door meeting with the scion of the royal family or the present titular Maharaja- Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Rajamata Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Shah reportedly discussed various issues, including politics.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Had a wonderful meeting with&nbsp;Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar,&nbsp;Rajamatha Pramoda Devi Wadiyar and Maharani Trishika Kumari Devi of the Royal Family of Mysuru. <a href="https://t.co/CdMsGaWxX8">pic.twitter.com/CdMsGaWxX8</a></p>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/979614972086030336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He is also said to have expressed his admiration for the progressive and pro-people work by the royal family and the erstwhile Maharajas during their rule in the past.</p>

<p>State BJP Chief B S Yedyurappa, Union Minister Ananth Kumar and Member of Parliament from Mysuru Pratap Simha were present along with Shah during the meeting.</p>

<p>"Had a wonderful meeting with Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Rajamatha Pramoda Devi Wadiyar and Maharani Trishika Kumari Devi of the Royal Family of Mysuru," Shah said in a tweet after the meeting with pictures.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">It was nice to see Yuvraj Adyaveer Narasimha Wadiyar too! <a href="https://t.co/nEhox0bAIN">pic.twitter.com/nEhox0bAIN</a></p>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/979615424995385344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"It was nice to see Yuvraj Adyaveer Narasimha Wadiyar too!" he said in another tweet, sharing a picture of him along with Yaduveer and the infant "prince".</p>

<p>Amidst speculations in the media, Yaduveer, the 27th "King" of the Wadiyar dynasty, had recently ruled out his political entry.</p>

<p>"I have told several times that I'm not interested in politics. There is no chance at all about me joining any party. I'm not interested in politics. Through social work we will continue our relationship with the public," he said.</p>

<p>Though it is not clear what transpired at the meeting, BJP's move is, however, seen as an attempt by the party to muster more support in the region, where the party had not won a single seat in the previous election.</p>

<p>The royal family still commands considerable respect and affection in the old Mysuru region.</p>

<p>Also, politics is not something new to the Mysuru royal family. The previous scion, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, represented Mysuru Parliamentary constituency four times and had lost once.</p>

<p>Srikantadatta mostly remained with the Congress, but also had a short stint with the BJP.</p>

<p>Srikantadatta's father Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the last Maharaja of Mysuru, held the position of Rajpramukh/Governor after independence.&nbsp;</p>


Shah, who is touring old Mysuru region, met the erstwhile royal family at their private palace here, triggering speculations about their supporting or joining the BJP.

BJP in Karnataka has made efforts to give a royal touch for its prospects in the May 12 assembly polls in the state, with its national President Amit Shah meeting the Wadiyar royal family of Mysuru today. Shah, who is touring old Mysuru region, met the erstwhile royal family at their private palace here, triggering speculations about their supporting or joining the BJP. According to sources, during the closed-door meeting with the scion of the royal family or the present titular Maharaja- Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Rajamata Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Shah reportedly discussed various issues, including politics. Had a wonderful meeting with Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Rajamatha Pramoda Devi Wadiyar and Maharani Trishika Kumari Devi of the Royal Family of Mysuru. pic.twitter.com/CdMsGaWxX8 — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 30, 2018 × He is also said to have expressed his admiration for the progressive and pro-people work by the royal family and the erstwhile Maharajas during their rule in the past. State BJP Chief B S Yedyurappa, Union Minister Ananth Kumar and Member of Parliament from Mysuru Pratap Simha were present along with Shah during the meeting. "Had a wonderful meeting with Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Rajamatha Pramoda Devi Wadiyar and Maharani Trishika Kumari Devi of the Royal Family of Mysuru," Shah said in a tweet after the meeting with pictures. It was nice to see Yuvraj Adyaveer Narasimha Wadiyar too! pic.twitter.com/nEhox0bAIN — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 30, 2018 × "It was nice to see Yuvraj Adyaveer Narasimha Wadiyar too!" he said in another tweet, sharing a picture of him along with Yaduveer and the infant "prince". Amidst speculations in the media, Yaduveer, the 27th "King" of the Wadiyar dynasty, had recently ruled out his political entry. "I have told several times that I'm not interested in politics. There is no chance at all about me joining any party. I'm not interested in politics. Through social work we will continue our relationship with the public," he said. Though it is not clear what transpired at the meeting, BJP's move is, however, seen as an attempt by the party to muster more support in the region, where the party had not won a single seat in the previous election. The royal family still commands considerable respect and affection in the old Mysuru region. Also, politics is not something new to the Mysuru royal family. The previous scion, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, represented Mysuru Parliamentary constituency four times and had lost once. Srikantadatta mostly remained with the Congress, but also had a short stint with the BJP. Srikantadatta's father Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the last Maharaja of Mysuru, held the position of Rajpramukh/Governor after independence.

Karnataka polls: BJP chief Amit Shah meets Wadiyar royal family in Mysuru

<p><br />
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get 'a clear majority' in the southern state.</p>

<p>"BJP will get a clear majority in the upcoming elections in Karnataka. No divisive politics will work this time," the minister told ANI outside Parliament House.</p>

<p>Singh's comment comes after dates for Karnataka Assembly elections were announced by the Election Commission of India today and also&nbsp;in the wake of gaffes committed by party chief Amit Shah and IT cell head Amit Malviya giving the opposition ammo to launch a scathing attack.</p>

<p>While, Malviya revealed the date of Karnataka assembly poll on Twitter, 15 minutes before the official announcement came from the EC, Shah, in a slip of tongue said the government led by BS Yeddyurappa — the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate in Karnataka – was the most corrupt.</p>

<p>The elections for the 224 assembly seats will be held on May 12, and the results will be declared on May 15.</p>

<p>While the Congress party is trying to retain power in Karnataka, the BJP is pulling all stops to wrestle the southern state into its fold.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Singh's comment comes after dates for Karnataka Assembly elections were announced by the Election Commission of India today

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get 'a clear majority' in the southern state. "BJP will get a clear majority in the upcoming elections in Karnataka. No divisive politics will work this time," the minister told ANI outside Parliament House. Singh's comment comes after dates for Karnataka Assembly elections were announced by the Election Commission of India today and also in the wake of gaffes committed by party chief Amit Shah and IT cell head Amit Malviya giving the opposition ammo to launch a scathing attack. While, Malviya revealed the date of Karnataka assembly poll on Twitter, 15 minutes before the official announcement came from the EC, Shah, in a slip of tongue said the government led by BS Yeddyurappa — the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate in Karnataka – was the most corrupt. The elections for the 224 assembly seats will be held on May 12, and the results will be declared on May 15. While the Congress party is trying to retain power in Karnataka, the BJP is pulling all stops to wrestle the southern state into its fold.

BJP will get clear majority in Karnataka polls: Rajnath Singh

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi resumed his &#39;&#39;temple run&#39;&#39; in Karnataka ahead of Assembly polls.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Rahul Gandhi, along with other Congress leaders, visits Shringeri Sharadamba Temple in Chickmagalur. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/fvNLqvv4hq">pic.twitter.com/fvNLqvv4hq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976351117658476545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Gandhi scion, along with Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah visited Shringeri Sharadamba Temple in Chickmagalur.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, on our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JanaAashirwadaYatre?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JanaAashirwadaYatre</a>, I will inaugurate the Rajiv Gandhi Political Institute and address meetings in Udupi and Mangalore.<br />
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Later in the evening I will pray at the Gokarnanatheshwara Temple and also visit the Rosario Church and the Ullal Dargah in Mangalore. <a href="https://t.co/xaiha0vedu">pic.twitter.com/xaiha0vedu</a></p>
&mdash; Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/975968089522126848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul also visited Rosario Church and the Ullal Dargah in Mangalore.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Rahul Gandhi, along with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> CM Siddaramaiah, visits Shringeri Sharadamba Temple in Chickmagalur. <a href="https://t.co/MforpDZu6B">pic.twitter.com/MforpDZu6B</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976349785459429376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>With the Karnataka going to polls in April-May, the Congress President is expected to continue with his visit to several religious places.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple in Koppal district last month.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a>: Congress President, Rahul Gandhi visits Sringeri Mutt in Chikmagalur. <a href="https://t.co/4VSrzclKuc">pic.twitter.com/4VSrzclKuc</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976369980328632320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>On the first day of his election campaign in Karnataka,&nbsp; Gandhi&nbsp;had visited the Goddess Huligamma temple and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal.</p>

<p>During the Gujarat assembly elections, Gandhi visited about 25 temples in the state, inviting criticism of &quot;soft Hindutva&quot; from the opposition.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


With the Karnataka going to polls in April-May, the Congress President is expected to continue with his visit to several religious places.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi resumed his ''temple run'' in Karnataka ahead of Assembly polls. #WATCH: Rahul Gandhi, along with other Congress leaders, visits Shringeri Sharadamba Temple in Chickmagalur. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/fvNLqvv4hq — ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2018 × The Gandhi scion, along with Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah visited Shringeri Sharadamba Temple in Chickmagalur. Today, on our #JanaAashirwadaYatre, I will inaugurate the Rajiv Gandhi Political Institute and address meetings in Udupi and Mangalore. Later in the evening I will pray at the Gokarnanatheshwara Temple and also visit the Rosario Church and the Ullal Dargah in Mangalore. pic.twitter.com/xaiha0vedu — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 20, 2018 × Rahul also visited Rosario Church and the Ullal Dargah in Mangalore. Rahul Gandhi, along with #Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, visits Shringeri Sharadamba Temple in Chickmagalur. pic.twitter.com/MforpDZu6B — ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2018 × With the Karnataka going to polls in April-May, the Congress President is expected to continue with his visit to several religious places. He visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple in Koppal district last month. #Karnataka: Congress President, Rahul Gandhi visits Sringeri Mutt in Chikmagalur. pic.twitter.com/4VSrzclKuc — ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2018 × On the first day of his election campaign in Karnataka, Gandhi had visited the Goddess Huligamma temple and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal. During the Gujarat assembly elections, Gandhi visited about 25 temples in the state, inviting criticism of "soft Hindutva" from the opposition.

Watch: Rahul Gandhi resumes his temple run ahead of Karnataka polls

<p>BJP President Amit Shah took a dig at the&nbsp;Siddaramaiah government in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-amit-shah-to-continue-election-battle-in-karnataka-today-34057" target="_blank">Karnataka</a> saying that the chief minister was &quot;synonymous with corruption&quot;.</p>

<p>He said &quot;&nbsp;Karnataka government&nbsp;has failed on all fronts. Corruption cases are on a rise. Corruption &amp; Siddaramaiah government&nbsp;have become synonymous&quot;.</p>

<p>He added that &quot;the manner in which all cases against Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI)&nbsp;have been withdrawn, shows the unidirectional action by Siddaramaiah government&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said that&nbsp;the constituency of Kharge in Karnataka was the most backward constituency in the state.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Congress ka shaasan kaisa hota hai wo dekhna hai to Kharge sahab ki constituency ko jakar dekhna chahiye. Mere paas karyakartaon se feedback aaya hai ki itna pichhdapan Karnataka ke kisi aur kshetra mein nahi hai jitna Kharge sahab ke svyam ke kshetra ke andar hai: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/HOWC3kPpRg">pic.twitter.com/HOWC3kPpRg</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968003987382284290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Clarifying his party&#39;s stance over the remarks of BJP minister Anantkumar Hegde, he said that the party was not responsible for the comments made by him. He also added that the&nbsp;BJP leader had apologised for his remarks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At a public function in Karnataka, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/those-who-call-themselves-secular-dont-know-about-their-parentage-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-27714" target="_blank">Minister for State for Skill Development, Hegde</a> had said in December that the Constitution needs to be changed from time to time and that those who claim of being secular and progressive do not have an identity of their parents and their blood.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Hegde Ji ne maafi maang li hai aur maine kaha ki inke bayan se party ka ittefaq nahi hai: BJP President Amit Shah on Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde&#39;s remarks on Constitution <a href="https://t.co/bo2j5iwQUm">pic.twitter.com/bo2j5iwQUm</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968008339916431360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;BJP Chief Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to the poll-bound state Karnataka, which started on Saturday. Shah began his&nbsp;third day of the election campaign by paying a visit to&nbsp;Sri Kshethra Malakheda Temple in Kalaburagi.</p>

<p>The state is scheduled to undergo assembly elections in April-May.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">BJP President Amit Shah offered prayers at Sri Kshethra Malakheda Temple in Kalaburagi, BS Yeddyurappa also present. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/I5L9mE9VZz">pic.twitter.com/I5L9mE9VZz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/967988047773024256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


He said 'Karnataka government has failed on all fronts. Corruption cases are on a rise. Corruption & Siddaramaiah government have become synonymous'

BJP President Amit Shah took a dig at the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka saying that the chief minister was "synonymous with corruption". He said " Karnataka government has failed on all fronts. Corruption cases are on a rise. Corruption & Siddaramaiah government have become synonymous". He added that "the manner in which all cases against Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) have been withdrawn, shows the unidirectional action by Siddaramaiah government". He also said that the constituency of Kharge in Karnataka was the most backward constituency in the state. Congress ka shaasan kaisa hota hai wo dekhna hai to Kharge sahab ki constituency ko jakar dekhna chahiye. Mere paas karyakartaon se feedback aaya hai ki itna pichhdapan Karnataka ke kisi aur kshetra mein nahi hai jitna Kharge sahab ke svyam ke kshetra ke andar hai: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/HOWC3kPpRg — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2018 × Clarifying his party's stance over the remarks of BJP minister Anantkumar Hegde, he said that the party was not responsible for the comments made by him. He also added that the BJP leader had apologised for his remarks. At a public function in Karnataka, Minister for State for Skill Development, Hegde had said in December that the Constitution needs to be changed from time to time and that those who claim of being secular and progressive do not have an identity of their parents and their blood. Hegde Ji ne maafi maang li hai aur maine kaha ki inke bayan se party ka ittefaq nahi hai: BJP President Amit Shah on Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde's remarks on Constitution pic.twitter.com/bo2j5iwQUm — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2018 × BJP Chief Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to the poll-bound state Karnataka, which started on Saturday. Shah began his third day of the election campaign by paying a visit to Sri Kshethra Malakheda Temple in Kalaburagi. The state is scheduled to undergo assembly elections in April-May. BJP President Amit Shah offered prayers at Sri Kshethra Malakheda Temple in Kalaburagi, BS Yeddyurappa also present. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/I5L9mE9VZz — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2018 ×

Corruption and Siddaramaiah government are synonymous: Amit Shah in Karnataka

<p>Escalating his attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over graft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday new scams, corruption charges and fresh allegations were emerging under him &quot;every day&quot;.</p>

<p>Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah&#39;s home turf at a rally in Mysore,&nbsp;Modi said he had earlier called his administration a &quot;10 per cent commission government&quot; but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more.</p>

<p>In his second public rally in a fortnight in poll-bound Karnataka, Modi singled out corruption to attack Siddaramaiah and asked the gathering: &quot;Do you want a commission government in Karnataka or mission government? Commission or mission?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Recalling his Bengaluru remark that &quot;it is a 10 per cent commission business,&quot; Modi said many people were angry with him, some even called him, some sent messages and others expressed their anguish. &quot;They said my information was not correct. It was not 10 per cent, but more than that,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Every day, a new scam, new corruption, new allegation is being levelled against their one or the other leader, against one or the other minister or one or the other programme of the government, in one or the other part of Karnataka,&quot; Modi said.</p>

<p>He alleged central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class were not being properly utilised by the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Their priority is political squabble, keeping Delhi (Congress high command) happy, and send them whatever is needed to keep them happy. Their interest is only in it ...Keeping their party bosses happy so that their seats are safe.&quot;</p>

<p>Contending that no state can function like this, he said, &quot;They don&#39;t care about the people and their feelings... Such governments, such leadership and personality will never strengthen democratic system.&quot;</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at Siddaramaiah, Modi said &quot;Mysuru is the land that spreads the message of social unity, Mysuru is the land of energy and youthfulness, Mysuru is a land that creates an atmosphere of harmony... But the person who was born from here should not have gone on the wrong path.&quot; &quot;He is associated with such people that whatever Mysuru taught him, he completely forgot on his way to Bengaluru, and is now taking entire Karnataka towards destruction.&quot;</p>

<p>Modi also hit out at the Congress for spreading &quot;lies repeatedly&quot; and asked the people to question its record. &quot;Ask those who come here, make speeches. For 50 years one family got an opportunity to rule. What is the reason that four crore families are still living the life of the 18 century?&quot; he said, attacking the Congress.</p>

<p>&quot;They don&#39;t even feel a bit of shame or sadness. They think by lying, by lying repeatedly, lying wherever they go, by lying loudly, by many people lying, not one or two days but for months on end, the people of this country will believe. &quot;You are talking from a wrong place; the country can&nbsp; never believe you, the country will never accept your lies. You will have to answer....&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Modi said his government wants to take the country forward at a faster pace, but Congress governments, wherever they are, are working to stop the pace of the country. They work as &quot;bumps&quot;, he said.</p>

<p>Modi said he has come to assure the people and see to it that the BJP government that would be formed in Karnataka would work with a mission. It would work towards changing the destiny of Karnataka, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;The way the government is functioning in Karnataka, and political developments are going on, you know that bundles and bundles of notes were seized and they are not ashamed of it. &quot;Diaries and what all were entered in it...Karnataka needs to get rid of it or not? Those who destroyed Karnataka..&quot; Modi said, apparently referring to the raids by Income Tax department on some ministers recently.</p>

<p>Modi also announced a six-lane 117 km Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway project at a cost of Rs 6,400 crore and a world-class new satellite railway station at Mysuru at an investment of Rs 800 crore.</p>

<p>He dedicated to the nation an electrified railway line&nbsp; between Mysuru and Bengaluru and flagged off the Palace Queen&nbsp; Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur. The train with only AC features connects five states in western India, according to South Western Railway.</p>

<p>The electrification of the railway line between Bengaluru and Mysuru, costing Rs 220 crore, is expected to benefit 25,000 passengers.</p>

<p>Assembly polls in Karnataka are due early this year. The BJP is pulling out all stops to unseat the Congress and return to power for a second time after its 2008-2013 rule that saw squabbling among its leaders and change of chief ministers thrice.&nbsp;</p>


Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah's home turf at a rally in Mysore, Modi said he had earlier called his administration a "10 per cent commission government" but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more

Escalating his attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over graft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday new scams, corruption charges and fresh allegations were emerging under him "every day". Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah's home turf at a rally in Mysore, Modi said he had earlier called his administration a "10 per cent commission government" but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more. In his second public rally in a fortnight in poll-bound Karnataka, Modi singled out corruption to attack Siddaramaiah and asked the gathering: "Do you want a commission government in Karnataka or mission government? Commission or mission?" Recalling his Bengaluru remark that "it is a 10 per cent commission business," Modi said many people were angry with him, some even called him, some sent messages and others expressed their anguish. "They said my information was not correct. It was not 10 per cent, but more than that," he said. "Every day, a new scam, new corruption, new allegation is being levelled against their one or the other leader, against one or the other minister or one or the other programme of the government, in one or the other part of Karnataka," Modi said. He alleged central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class were not being properly utilised by the state. "Their priority is political squabble, keeping Delhi (Congress high command) happy, and send them whatever is needed to keep them happy. Their interest is only in it ...Keeping their party bosses happy so that their seats are safe." Contending that no state can function like this, he said, "They don't care about the people and their feelings... Such governments, such leadership and personality will never strengthen democratic system." Taking a jibe at Siddaramaiah, Modi said "Mysuru is the land that spreads the message of social unity, Mysuru is the land of energy and youthfulness, Mysuru is a land that creates an atmosphere of harmony... But the person who was born from here should not have gone on the wrong path." "He is associated with such people that whatever Mysuru taught him, he completely forgot on his way to Bengaluru, and is now taking entire Karnataka towards destruction." Modi also hit out at the Congress for spreading "lies repeatedly" and asked the people to question its record. "Ask those who come here, make speeches. For 50 years one family got an opportunity to rule. What is the reason that four crore families are still living the life of the 18 century?" he said, attacking the Congress. "They don't even feel a bit of shame or sadness. They think by lying, by lying repeatedly, lying wherever they go, by lying loudly, by many people lying, not one or two days but for months on end, the people of this country will believe. "You are talking from a wrong place; the country can never believe you, the country will never accept your lies. You will have to answer...." he said. Modi said his government wants to take the country forward at a faster pace, but Congress governments, wherever they are, are working to stop the pace of the country. They work as "bumps", he said. Modi said he has come to assure the people and see to it that the BJP government that would be formed in Karnataka would work with a mission. It would work towards changing the destiny of Karnataka, he said. "The way the government is functioning in Karnataka, and political developments are going on, you know that bundles and bundles of notes were seized and they are not ashamed of it. "Diaries and what all were entered in it...Karnataka needs to get rid of it or not? Those who destroyed Karnataka.." Modi said, apparently referring to the raids by Income Tax department on some ministers recently. Modi also announced a six-lane 117 km Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway project at a cost of Rs 6,400 crore and a world-class new satellite railway station at Mysuru at an investment of Rs 800 crore. He dedicated to the nation an electrified railway line between Mysuru and Bengaluru and flagged off the Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur. The train with only AC features connects five states in western India, according to South Western Railway. The electrification of the railway line between Bengaluru and Mysuru, costing Rs 220 crore, is expected to benefit 25,000 passengers. Assembly polls in Karnataka are due early this year. The BJP is pulling out all stops to unseat the Congress and return to power for a second time after its 2008-2013 rule that saw squabbling among its leaders and change of chief ministers thrice.

Modi takes on Siddaramaiah on his home turf

<p>The verbal war between the Congress and BJP before the Karnataka assembly elections continued Thursday with chief minister Siddaramaiah saying the &quot;BJP and RSS people are Hindutva terrorists&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah had been trying to clarify his statements from yesterday when he had said the BJP and RSS have terrorists within their ranks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking to the media, Siddaramaiah said, &quot;What I had said was that BJP and RSS people are Hindutva terrorists.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>An earlier salvo had been fired by BJP President Amit Shah who had said on Wednesday that the Karnataka government was anti-Hindu and that it was guilty of vote-bank politics.</p>

<p>Also&nbsp;read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-government-is-anti-hindu-government-amit-shah-29117" target="_blank">Karnataka government is anti-Hindu: Amit Shah</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What I had said was that BJP and RSS people are Hindutva terrorists: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah <a href="https://t.co/JMqxjWsldj">pic.twitter.com/JMqxjWsldj</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951368390915932161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP RSS needs to stop its divisive politics, Congress Karnataka Govt will not tolerate communal elements be it any organization: KC Venugopal,Congress <a href="https://t.co/tCu9KiJZTy">pic.twitter.com/tCu9KiJZTy</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951354570625622016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress leader KC Venugopal also targeted the BJP and the RSS, calling their politics &quot;divisive&quot;. He added that the state Congress government would not tolerate &quot;communal elements&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;BJP, RSS needs to stop its divisive politics, Congress Karnataka government will not tolerate communal&nbsp;elements be it any organisation,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Joining the trail, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Karnataka Congress chief, also hit out at the BJP and RSS. Calling the BJP-RSS Hindutva ideology &quot;fascist&quot;, he said they (the Congress) were more Hindu&nbsp;than the BJP and RSS.</p>

<p>He said, &quot;If we don&#39;t believe in a fascist ideology like Hindutva which produces terrorists and hate doesn&#39;t mean we are not Hindus, in fact&nbsp;we are more&nbsp;Hindu than BJP, RSS who use religion for politics.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If we don&#39;t believe in a fascist ideology like Hindutva which produces terrorists and hate doesn&#39;t mean we are not Hindus, infact we are more Hindu than BJP RSS who use religion for politics: Dinesh Gundu Rao,Karnataka Congress chief <a href="https://t.co/CaBWhLoTMY">pic.twitter.com/CaBWhLoTMY</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951358289295564800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also said, &quot;Banning PFI or SDPI or Bajrang Dal is the central government&#39;s job, if they have proof then they can ban any organisation.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shah had yesterday pointed to the Karnataka government&#39;s lifting of the ban on the SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) as proof that it was anti-Hindu.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Banning PFI or SDPI or Bajrang Dal is the Central Government&#39;s job, if they have proof then they can ban any organization: Dinesh Gundu Rao,Karnataka Congress chief <a href="https://t.co/mEupdr4fZE">pic.twitter.com/mEupdr4fZE</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951358291648569344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Responding to Siddaramaiah, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Thursday that Siddaramaiah&#39;s statement has reiterated Congress&#39;s policy of appeasement and its hatred towards Hindus.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The statement of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has reiterated Congress&#39;s policy of appeasement and its hatred towards Hindus: Sambit Patra,BJP <a href="https://t.co/h2h08J6ALc">pic.twitter.com/h2h08J6ALc</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951372248408928257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Siddharamiah had on Wednesday said the BJP and RSS had terrorists within their ranks

The verbal war between the Congress and BJP before the Karnataka assembly elections continued Thursday with chief minister Siddaramaiah saying the "BJP and RSS people are Hindutva terrorists". Siddaramaiah had been trying to clarify his statements from yesterday when he had said the BJP and RSS have terrorists within their ranks. Speaking to the media, Siddaramaiah said, "What I had said was that BJP and RSS people are Hindutva terrorists." An earlier salvo had been fired by BJP President Amit Shah who had said on Wednesday that the Karnataka government was anti-Hindu and that it was guilty of vote-bank politics. Also read: Karnataka government is anti-Hindu: Amit Shah What I had said was that BJP and RSS people are Hindutva terrorists: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/JMqxjWsldj — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018 × BJP RSS needs to stop its divisive politics, Congress Karnataka Govt will not tolerate communal elements be it any organization: KC Venugopal,Congress pic.twitter.com/tCu9KiJZTy — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018 × Congress leader KC Venugopal also targeted the BJP and the RSS, calling their politics "divisive". He added that the state Congress government would not tolerate "communal elements". "BJP, RSS needs to stop its divisive politics, Congress Karnataka government will not tolerate communal elements be it any organisation," he said. Joining the trail, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Karnataka Congress chief, also hit out at the BJP and RSS. Calling the BJP-RSS Hindutva ideology "fascist", he said they (the Congress) were more Hindu than the BJP and RSS. He said, "If we don't believe in a fascist ideology like Hindutva which produces terrorists and hate doesn't mean we are not Hindus, in fact we are more Hindu than BJP, RSS who use religion for politics." If we don't believe in a fascist ideology like Hindutva which produces terrorists and hate doesn't mean we are not Hindus, infact we are more Hindu than BJP RSS who use religion for politics: Dinesh Gundu Rao,Karnataka Congress chief pic.twitter.com/CaBWhLoTMY — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018 × He also said, "Banning PFI or SDPI or Bajrang Dal is the central government's job, if they have proof then they can ban any organisation." Shah had yesterday pointed to the Karnataka government's lifting of the ban on the SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) as proof that it was anti-Hindu. Banning PFI or SDPI or Bajrang Dal is the Central Government's job, if they have proof then they can ban any organization: Dinesh Gundu Rao,Karnataka Congress chief pic.twitter.com/mEupdr4fZE — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018 × Responding to Siddaramaiah, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Thursday that Siddaramaiah's statement has reiterated Congress's policy of appeasement and its hatred towards Hindus. The statement of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has reiterated Congress's policy of appeasement and its hatred towards Hindus: Sambit Patra,BJP pic.twitter.com/h2h08J6ALc — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018 ×

Karnataka CM says BJP, RSS are Hindutva terrorists after Amit Shah calls his government anti-Hindu

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