CM attacks BSY, Shettar for 'double standards' on Tipu

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday accused the BJP leaders of politicising  Tipu Jayanti.

Speaking after inaugurating various development works worth Rs 252 crore at Bantwal, he said that when BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa was in the KJP, he had worn an attire similar to that of Tipu and also had held a sword in his hand to pose for a photograph.

BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje, who has now asked the state government not to print her name in the invitations for Tipu Jayanti celebration, was with Yeddyurappa at that time, he claimed.

When former vice chancellor Sheikh Ali wrote a book on Tipu Sultan, BJP leader Jagadish Shettar, who was then the chief minister, had written a foreword to the book praising the valour of Tipu. Shettar had called Tipu a patriot. Now, he is changing his tune.

“By politicising Tipu Jayanti, the true face of BJP leaders has come to the fore,” Siddaramaiah said.

“Those who do not have knowledge of history can not create history. Tipu had fought against the British and was a true patriot. Hence, the state government is observing Tipu Jayanti,” he justified.