From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 20: The much publicized film project by BJP minister Munirathna on the alleged killers of Tipu Sultan by two Vokkaliga chieftains Urigowda and Nanjegowda has been shelved, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai indicated on Monday.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru, the chief minister claimed that the Vokkaliga community religious seers had advised that the film project should be suspended.

``When the religious seers advise, it should be obeyed,’’Bommai said responding to questions on the Seer’s advice to drop the project.

The Chief Minister said he does not have full details on the plans of minister Munirathna on Urigowda and Nanjegowda.

BJP leaders C T Ravi, Union minister ShobhaKarandlaje and Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan had been claiming that Vokkaliga chieftains Urigowda and Doddananjegowda had killed Tipu Sultan. The BJP leaders have been using the issue as a strategy to win over the support of Vokkaligas in Mandya, Mysuru, Ramanagaraand other districts.

When Prime Minister NarendraModi visited Bengaluru and Mandya for inaugurating the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway, which incidentally has been in the news due to flooding and water-logging near Ramangara due to overnight heavy rains within six days of inauguration, huge banners with the names of Urigowda and Nanjegowda welcoming Modi were displayed.

Both the opposition Congress and JD(S) have been very critical of the BJP political strategy of what they claim are fictional characters of Urigowda and Nanjegowda, to gain support in the Old Mysuru region and also to polarize the voters on communal lines.