This Election Is About Hindus vs Muslims, Says Karnataka BJP MLA

The MLA has been captured on camera making polarising statements by invoking religion at an election rally.

Sanjay Patil, BJP MLA from Belagavi

(Photo: ANI)

After Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde stoked ire for his remark about the Constitution, another BJP lawmaker from Karnataka has courted controversy amid the heavy electioneering in the poll-bound state.

The BJP MLA from Belagavi, Sanjay Patil, has been captured on camera making polarising statements by invoking religion at what appears to be an election rally.

Speaking in Kannada, Patil is reportedly heard saying:

I am Sanjay Patil, I am Hindu, this is a Hindu rashtra (nation) and we want to build the Ram temple. If Lakshmi Hebbalikar (Congress candidate and president of KPCC women’s wing) says she can build the mandir – vote for her. They will build Babri Masjid instead. Whoever wants Babri Masjid, Tipu Jayanthi, they should vote for the Congress. And who wants Shivaji Maharaj and Ram Mandir should vote for the BJP.

Incidentally, this is not the first time that Patil has been under fire for making outrageous comments.

According to NDTV, the lawmaker was caught on camera in 2017, provoking and threatening a policeman who was attempting to maintain law and order during a motorcycle rally.

The Congress has, meanwhile, filed a complaint against the MLA for his provocative statements, reported The Hindu.

Speaking to the daily, Lakshmi Hebbalikar, the woman who was named by Patil in his video, said the party would file a complaint against Patil in a day or two.