From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Belagavi, Feb 16: In a scathing attack against BJP cabinet minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan’s reported statement in Mandya that former Congress chief minister Siddaramaiah must be meted out the same treatment of beheading Tipu Sultan, the Congress opposition leader retorted by staying that "communal BJP leaders like Ashwath Narayan cannot do any harm to him as long as the people are behind me.’’

Speaking to media persons in Belagavi during his Prajadhwani Yatra on Thursday, Siddaramaiah said the statement of the Higher Education Minister shows the mindset of the BJP leaders and their hatred of the their critics.

"Is he going to kill or finish me off?’’ Siddaramaiah asked and declared that he was never afraid and confident that ``nobody, especially the likes of Ashwath Narayan cannot touch even a hair on my head as long as the people are behind me.’’

"I respect and honour Tipu Sultan, Sangolli Rayanna, Sant Seva Lal, Basavanna, Kanakadasa and all other noble souls,’’ he said and asserted that he "always treated all people of different faiths and religion be they Hindus, Muslims or Christians equally and I respect all castes and communities.’’

Siddaramaiah said Congress party respects all cases and religions and never believes in polarisation for political ends. "I appeal to the people not to support these communal minded BJP people, who believe in hatred based on religions, especially the minorities,’’ he said.

The Congress leader later visited the Sri Fakireshwara Mutt at Shirahatti in Gadag districts and sought the blessings of Sri Dingaleshwara Swamiji.