Hubballi, Nov 10 (DHNS): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that several BJP leaders are ready in touch with him, to join the Congress Party, but those with RSS background would not be allowed to enter the party as they are communal.

On his way to Bagalkot, Mr Siddaramaiah told media persons at Hubballi Airport on Thursday that those associated with the RSS are trained to be communal, and therefore it is being verified whether such BJP leaders, who are interested to join the Congress, have any RSS background.

BJP leaders have no moral right to criticise Tipu Jayanti, and they are 'dhongis'. They praised Tipu Sultan when they were in power. Names of only those people's representatives who have asked not to print their names in Tipu Jayanti invitation cards are dropped, he said.

DKS, Lingayat issues

The BJP is trying to threaten Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, using the Income Tax Department, and is doing politics. Even if BJP offers him deputy chief minister's post, Shivakumar would not quit the Congress, as he is a Congressman since beginning, Siddaramaiah noted.

When asked about the Lingayat religion issue, he said, "we have not yet entered the stage of recommending it to the Union government. The State Government can only recommend, but the Union Government has to take a decision. Even to get a minority tag, the Backward Classes Permanent Commission has to recommend it."

Checking black money, corruption, counterfeit currency notes and terrorism were said to be the objectives of the demonetisation of higher denomination currency notes, but nothing has been achieved, and therefore we observed a black day on the first anniversary of demonetisation, he added.