BENGALURU: Former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday defended his government’s decision to recommend separate religion status for the Lingayat community. “It was a collective decision taken by the cabinet and it had nothing to do with the outcome in the Assembly elections,” he said.
He was reacting to Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar’s remarks that the Siddaramaiah government had committed a blunder by getting involved in religion and the party had to suffer a setback in the Assembly elections.
“I do not know the context in which Shivakumar made such a statement and it is his personal view,” the former CM said, adding that Shivakumar and other ministers were present in the cabinet meeting when the decision to send the recommendation to the Centre was taken.
Shivakumar’s remarks have kicked up a political storm in the state. And this comes ahead of the November 3 bypolls to three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats.
It is seen as an attempt to woo Lingayat voters in North Karnataka, while some also see this as a direct attack on Siddaramaiah.
“No one can target me or tarnish my image. We have never divided any religion and will never try to do so. It was a decision taken by the government and even the party had nothing to do with it,” he added.
Siddaramaiah said the issue is not relevant during the bypolls. Meanwhile, former minister M B Patil has decided to take up the issue with the high command.
Patil, who was in the forefront of the movement demanding a separate religion status for the Lingayat community, said Shivakumar’s remarks are unacceptable and he would bring it to the notice of the party high command.