'Lingayats would teach a lesson to Cong': BSY

State BJP President BS Yeddyurappa on Tuesday expressed confidence that Veerashaiva-Lingayats would teach a lesson to the Congress party in the Lok Sabha polls for dividing the community.

Recent statements by Home Minster MB Patil and Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar's apology to the community has clearly established that Sonia Gandhi had masterminded the plot to divide the community.

"The community members have now realised that there was a plot to divide the community only to prevent him from becoming the Chief Minister," Yeddyurappa told reporters at Sirvar town, Raichur district.

He was at the town to campaign for BJP's Raichur Lok Sabha constituency nominee Raja Amaresh Nayak."I haven't visited Shivamogga even for a day to campaign for my son, but Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has been camping in Mandya. He is spending Rs 150 crore that he looted from the Exchequer to ensure his son's victory. In Mandya, Sumalatha will win. Voters know how she was personally targeted by Kumaraswamy, he said.

Yeddyurappa blasted Kumaraswamy for protesting again the Income Tax authorities. JD (S) Congress leaders had stashed money they had looted from the exchequer that led to searches and seizures by the I-T sleuths, he added.

"Kumaraswamy is shedding tears. His tears have no meaning. He is misusing the position of Chief Minister for the victory of his son," Yeddyurappa charged.