The communal tension in Shivamogga triggered a political spar between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress. Both the parties blamed each other for the communal tension in Shivamogga.
The verbal duel began with former Minister and veteran BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa alleging that the husband of a Congress corporator in Shivamooga who was associated with the SDPI was mainly responsible for the stabbing incident. He urged the Congress to tender a public apology and also initiate action against such anti-social elements.
Reacting sharply to this, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of creating communal tension in Shivamogga. He termed Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai a “puppet in the hands of the RSS”. He said, “They (BJP workers) tried to put Savarkar’s photo in a Muslim area. Let them put up whatever photo they want, we have no problem. But, why do that in a Muslim area? And, why did they say no to putting up Tipu Sultan’s photo?”
