Basavaraj Bommai

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, CM Bommai stated that Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar had raised a question on the connection between Bajrang Dal and Hanuman. "The relationship which Shri Ram and Hanuman had existed between Bajrang Dal and Hanuman," he maintained. Hanuman is a great devotee of Shri Ram as per Hindu sacred epic scripture Ramayana. Shri Ram and Hanuman are revered all over the country and by all people who are Hindus cutting across the caste and creeds.

"The Congress is talking about banning the Bajrang Dal. They have likened the Bajrang Dal with PFI, an anti-national and terrorist organisation that has already been banned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," CM Bommai said during BJP's election campaign in Dharwad.

"The Congress leaders say those who avail of the reservation facilities are beggars. Are the SC, ST, OBC, and Lingayats beggars? The people will teach a lesson to the Congress," Bommai said at a rally. Speaking at a roadshow while campaigning for BJP candidate M.S. Somalingappa in Siraguppa on Saturday.

Reacting to Shivakumar's statement that Lingayats and Vokkaligas are not beggars, the Chief Minister said during a roadshow in support of the BJP candidate in Sedam, Rajkumar Patil Sedam, that the Congress has the habit of "keeping Dalits inside the well and dropping them in the same place after getting their votes".

While addressing a rally at Yamakanamaradi constituency represented by Jarikiholi, the CM said he (Jarikiholi) is playing with the feelings of the people. "We have to get votes on the developmental works that have been carried out. It is not correct to play with people's emotions," he said.

Bommai was reacting to Siddaramaiah's statement about an "internal adjustment between the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) in the Varuna constituency". Siddaramaiah is contesting from the Varuna Assembly constituency. The CM told reporters here that there was a general feeling that all the candidates of all the parties are fixed, and Siddaramaiah feared that those two parties have joined together.

Talking to mediapersons, Bommai underlined that the issue was discussed in the community leaders' meeting at former chief minister B. S. Yediyurappa's residence on Wednesday night. The issue was discussed in the backdrop of the Congress' allegation that the BJP is sidelining the Lingayat leadership. The Congress intensified the attack after BJP leaders -- former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi and ex CM Jagadish Shettar -- switched to the Congress.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said this while referring to the exit of former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and ex-deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi. Both the former BJP leaders would be contesting the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls on Congress ticket.

"The Congress did not have candidates for around 60 constituencies, so it announced nominees for just 150 constituencies and kept quiet without releasing the list for all the 224 seats. It is of no use to get leaders to defect from the strongholds of the BJP and give them Congress tickets," Bommai said.

Talking to reporters here, Sudeep said that he shared a good bond with Bommai since his childhood. "I call him 'mama'. There is no question of my stand or politics in my decision. I have been seeing CM Bommai since I was a child. He stood with me at the time of my crisis in the film industry. He is the person whom I love. I am here to stand with him.