Ahinda leader Siddaramaiah now claims he too is a 100 per cent Hindu

Seemingly irritated at the Opposition BJP leaders' criticism that the State government was not protecting Hindus after the Bantwal tensions, which witnessed deaths of leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lashed out at the BJP leaders stating even he too was a Hindu.

"My name is Sidda-Rama and I am a 100 per cent Hindu. Is Yeddyurappa alone a Hindu and am I not?," is how Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted when mediapersons questioned him about BJP's comments that the State government was targeting only Hindus.

But Siddaramaiah's "I am too a Hindu," statement has raised many eyebrows. For, Siddarmaiah comes from the school of Socialism and he was never outspoken about Hindu sentiments. Besides, Siddaramaiah has always claimed himself to be a leader of Ahinda community (Dalits, backward communities and minorities). In fact, it was Siddarmaiah who championed the cause of Ahinda communities and through his Ahinda movement helped the Congress party to come to power. Years ago, he had claimed that he was an "Ahinda CM", reports Kannada Prabha.

It may be recalled here that the Opposition leaders were baying for the CM's blood after RSS worker Sharath Madiwala was killed in the Bantwal clash last week. The BJP leaders had shown open support to Hindu organisations and leaders, especially, the RSS strongman Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje had stated that Hindus were not safe in the state. But the state government was protecting various minority organisations that were alleged to behind disturbing communal harmony in the Dakshina Kannada region. She had also ridiculed Siddaramaiah that he was hesitant to take the names of minority organisations while he blamed Hindus for the communal clash in Bantwal.

However, now Siddaramaiah loudly proclaiming that even he too was a Hindu is said to be an attempt to counter BJP's exercise to woo Hindu votes as elections are scheduled for next year. A few months ago, AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi had stated that he was busy reading Upansihads and Bhgavad Gita to counter BJP. So seems like everybody is learning something to counter the BJP's march. 

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