For those who believe elections in India are about roti, kapda, makaan, here is a reminder that they are wrong. Sanjay Patil, the Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker from Belagavi (Rural), who has been given the ticket by the party again this time, is emphatic that the May 12 election is about Hindu and Muslim issues. A video of the communal poison that he reportedly dished out during the campaign is doing the rounds. A first information report has been lodged against him.
“I will hold my heart and proudly tell you, this is our Bharat nation, this is our Hindu nation, Lord Ram’s birthplace,” Patil is heard saying in Kannada. “In Ayodhya, we have to build a Ram temple and I am ready to do anything for that. Some people will tell they will build the temple and ask for votes but they will build a masjid instead. This election is between Hindus and Muslims. Be it constructing Babri Masjid, celebrating Tipu Jayanti, let the Congress do all this. You wanted Shivaji Maharaj, you wanted to pray to Goddess Lakshmi in the temple, you have to vote for BJP only, not any other party.”
