Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Aug 26: Most of the BJP leaders of Karnataka are giving statements against Tipu Sultan. However, in a turn of events, their own MLC H Vishwanath has heaped praise on Tipu Sultan. Vishwanath has lauded Tipu Sultan by saying that he does not belong to any party, religion or caste.
Vishwanath praised Tipu Sultan while speaking with the reporters at Vidhana Soudha in the city. He was talking about installing the statue of Sangolli Rayanna at the Belagavi Suvarna Soudha. Vishwanath said, "Sangolli Rayanna is the commander who fought against the British. Similarly, Tipu Sultan also fought against them."
When the scribes questioned Vishwanath that his party BJP does not accept Tipu Sultan as a freedom fighter, Vishwanath said, "That is a different story. Tipu Sultan does not belong to any party, caste or religion. He is the son of this soil. So he should not be sidelined."
"Tipu's lesson is not dropped from the school syllabus. It is just transferred from the textbook of fifth grade to seventh grade. Students have to learn everything from Gandhiji to Tipu Sultan. Only then will they will become one,” he said.
On queries about him being a ministerial berth aspirant, he said, "I will not ask that I should be made a minister. The party has to reflect on this and then proceed. I am also responsible for the formation of this BJP government and one of the senior politicians of the state."
"I joined politics in 1978. Kharge came in 1972. I am asking to utilize the experience of people like us. I will not go to Yediyurappa's house and beg him to make me a minister. However, Yediyurappa honours his word,” he said.
Just before the by-elections that were held last year, Yediyurappa had promised that he will give ministerial positions to all those who had joined BJP from Congress and JD(S). However, H Vishwanath and M T B Nagaraj got defeated in the elections.