'BJP won't give tickets to Muslim candidates'

Karnataka Minister and BJP leader KS Eshwarappa has triggered a controversy with his remarks that his party will not give tickets to Muslim candidates.

In a video clip that has been doing the rounds on social media, Eshwarappa is heard saying: "We might give the party ticket to any community of Hindus. Whoever we might give it to -- maybe Lingayats, Kurubas, Vokkaligas, or Brahmins but definitely, it will not be given to Muslims."

Reportedly, he also said that the his party will give tickets only to Hindutva proponents.

Eshwarappa's response came when media persons asked him about who the party will field in the by-election to Belagavi Lok Sabha seat.

Pointing out that Belagavi was one of the centres of Hindutva, he said the ticket will be given to its proponents.