Two BJP MLAs embarrass party on Tipu Jayanti

The state BJP faced a major embarrassment on Friday as flexes and banners of its Bommanahalli MLA M Satish Reddy greeting people on the occasion of Tipu Sultan Jayanti were put up in many thoroughfares of Bommanahalli in Southeast Bengaluru.

Besides, party's Vijayanagar MLA Anand Singh took part in Tipu Jayanti celebrations organised by the state government at Hosapete in Ballari district.

The saffron party leaders had been opposing the government's decision to organise Tipu Jayanti, saying that he was "a tyrant and anti-Hindu" ruler. Many of the party leaders, including Union Minister of State for Skill Development Anantkumar Hegde and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, had asked the government not to mention their names in the official invitation for Tipu Jayanti.

When contacted, Satish Reddy denied that he had put up the flexes. "Some unknown persons had put up the flexes in my name in the constituency. I have asked my supporters to immediately remove them. I am against Tipu Jayanti celebrations, and I will stick to my party's stand in this regard," he added.

He also said that the BJP is not against Muslims. Many of my supporters are Muslims. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is celebrating the Jayanti in order to woo the Muslim voters ahead of the Assembly election, the BJP lawmaker charged.

In Hosapete, Anand Singh inaugurated the Tipu Jayanti event organised by the state government.

"There has been a controversy over celebrating Tipu Jayanti, and BJP, the party I represent, is against Tipu Jayanti. But, for me the people of my constituency matter the most," Singh, a former minister, said.

He said that no political party should divide society on communal lines. "Humanity is greater than all religions," he remarked.

Meanwhile, in Ballari city, Tipu Jayanti was celebrated in front of the district BJP office. Bellary MP B Sriramulu's close aide and corporator Govindarajulu, BJP leader Sameer Sait and others took part in the event along with local Muslim leaders.