Separate religion tag for Lingayats Congress’ political game: Shah

Bengaluru, Aug 14 (IANS) BJP President Amit Shah on Monday said the demand for a separate religion status for Lingayats is a political game of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Addressing a press conference here, he also refuted allegations that his party has no clear stand on the issue.

Of late there has been some discomfort in the Bharatiya Janata Party over Karnataka Congress's attempt to woo the Lingayat community by backing its demand for a separate religion status. The BJP has considerable clout among the Lingayat community.

Refuting Siddaramaiah's charges that the central government is showing step-motherly treatment to Karnataka, Shah branded the state's Congress government as the most corrupt in the country.

"I have never seen such a corrupt government after Independence. It is most corrupt government of the country which has no shame left," he said.

"I ask the Chief Minister where the hugely increased central grant to Karnataka by Modi government has gone, as it doesn't show in development."

Shah also accused the state government of targeted killings of BJP workers in the state and alleged that it was doing appeasement politics, while claiming that his party will form the next government in the state under the leadership of its leader and former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddiyurappa.

Refuting the media reports that the government might go for early Lok Sabha polls in 2018, he said: "There is no such plan. As far as simultaneous election is concerned, the matter is under consideration and a debate is going on in the country. After a consensus between all political parties and Election Commission, it can be considered."