From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Dec 15: The war of words between BJP and Congress leaders following the violent incidents in Uttara Kannada district after the alleged murder of a fisherman Paresh Mesta in Honnavar turned ugly with Union Minister for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship and the State Government blaming and calling names to each other.
Hegde has Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to see his face in the mirror before taking any decisions.
The five-time MP from Karwar said: "Days are not far off when your (Chief Minister’s close aides will ditch you in the middle of the water."
The Union Minister said State’s Home Minister B Ramalinga Reddy "is unfit" to hold the portfolio of Home.
"What can Reddy and Home Minister’s advisor M Kempaiah achieve by supporting anti-nationalists and arresting nationalists,’’ Hegde said.
Hegde in his Facebook post, has lashed out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister B Ramalinga Reddy and Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Hemant Nimbalkar, who was camping in the town since the last few days to oversee law and order, for booking cases against innocent people in Sirsi, Honnavar and other parts of the district and warned them to be ready to face "Marikamba Habba,’’ an ugly political fight in the coming summer months.
The Marikamba Habba or festival is usually held in the month of March at Marikamba temple in Sirsi, and Hegde’s warning is an allusion to the forthcoming State Assembly polls to be held in the State in the months of April-May next year.
In a sharp rejoinder through tweet, Home Minister Ramalinga Redddy said: "Hegde is unfit to be the Union Minister. Let’s people decide, let him first learn to live like a human being with communal harmony."
The Home Minister asserted that it was the responsibility of the State Government to provide security to citizens and the Government would not shrink from discharging its duties.
"Like yours (Hegde’s), our policy is not divide and rule. We treat equally all human beings." Reddy said.
The people would teach a fitting lesson to you (BJP) for politicising the death of the teenager, Reddy warned.
"You people indulge in violence as per the directions of your (BJP) party president (Amit Shah). The people would teach you a lesson" Reddy said.
It may be recalled that the Sirsi Court’s decision of granting interim bail to 62 persons in connection with the violent incidents in Sirsi, Honnavar and Karwar has been termed by the BJP as a "moral victory.’’