From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 29: “I am Hindu, I love people of all religions. I believe in the Constitutional values of Secularism, Equality, Coexistence and Tolerance,’’ declared Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Monday.

Reacting to the barbs by BJP and JDS leaders that he is anti-Hindu for the Mandya district administration’s actions of asking removal of Bhagwa flag, the Chief Minister said the people behind the organisation had taken permission to erect National Flag post and instead hoisted the Bhagwa flag, which was removed by the district administration.

“If the BJP and JDS leaders want to hoist Bhagwa flag in their property, they are welcome to do it. But after taking permission to hoist national flag, they will not be allowed to hoist something else,’’ he said while talking to media persons.

Siddaramaiah said BJP opposition leader R Ashok and JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy are deliberately creating problems and instigating the people by inciting them to oppose the Mandya district administration’s decision.

The BJP-JDS leaders want to create communal trouble and polarise the voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, he said.

To questions on BJP-JDS leaders criticising him for being ‘anti-Hindu’, the Chief Minister said: “Polarising voters and flaring up communal tensions ahead of elections, is their only agenda. What else have they got to speak against me? People are happy with Congress government and implementation of the promised guarantees.’’

‘”You cannot take permission to erect a flag post to hoist national tricolour and then hoist Bhagwa flag. The Mandya district administration has not done anything wrong,’’ he said.