President Kovind praises Tipu, State BJP in shock

The State BJP that was all set to make a poll controversy of Tipu Jayanti was in a shock when the President Ram Nath Kovind showered praises on Tipu Sultan in his speech at the special joint session on the occasion of the 60th year of the Vidhana Soudha.

While the President appreciated Tipu Sultan’s war strategies against the British, his struggle for freedom and his rocket technology adapted by the Europeans also, the Congress and JD(S) members banged happily on the bench and BJP was left red faced, reported Kannada Prabha.

The President’s speech created a controversy with BJP alleging that the State Government had intentionally inserted Tipu accolades in President’s speech. The State Government responded stating that President’s speeches are prepared by the President’s secretariat and the State has no role to play in that. The State leaders also reminded that BJP leaders themselves had praised Tipu in the past and are now condemning him as a poll strategy.

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The President mentioned Tipu Sultan while mentioning the glorious history of the State and said Tipu had died a Valliant’s death fighting the British. Speaking to news persons later legislative council leader of the Opposition K S Eshwarappa alleged that Congress Government had intentionally written such a speech and that is why the President arrived late to the session. BJP said it strongly condemns this.

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Responding to this the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the State Government neither prepared the speech nor sent any notes to the President. He clarified that only Governor’s speech can be prepared by the government not President’s. 

He said this was the President’s own speech addressed to eminent personalities, including the members of the legislature. Nobody connected to the State Government has provided any information to the President’s office for the speech he clarified. He said the President has spoken the truth and any attempts to create a controversy around it is condemnable and regretting.

• BJP alleges Congress wrote the speech
• CM refutes charges
• President Tipu Speech
• Tippu Sultan
• Vidhana Soudha diamond jubilee
• Karnataka Vidhana Soudha