I am ready for war with our enemies, but BJP is busy twisting my statements to hide its failures, says Karnataka CM

Karnataka CM accuses BJP of twisting his statements to hide its failures.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the BJP of twisting his statements on war to hide its failures.

“I have spoken against war frenzy, and not war per se. When some reporters asked me in Mysuru whether there was the need for a war with Pakistan, I said no. I strongly believe, however, that when war is inevitable, we are ready for it. We would be ready for an all-out war, if the need arises. I am always for the security, unity and integrity of the country,” the CM said in Belagavi on April 28.

“I never said anything wrong. However, the BJP is trying to blame me only to hide its failures. The Union Government failed to protect the citizens, but to escape from that accusation, it is engaged in false propaganda against me. It is unfortunate that some TV channels are supporting the BJP in this game. It is wrong and condemnable. I said something, but they are showing something else. All this is only to blame me, and hide the BJP’s intelligence and security failures.

“The Union Government should be ashamed of itself for failing to protect our citizens. There were no security personnel, police or military at the tourist spot where the terrorists attacked. Even after the attack, help was not forthcoming immediately. Is this not a failure of the government? Should we not ask questions about the lapses in security and intelligence to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah? When I tried to raise these pertinent questions, they are trying to protest against me. This is not acceptable. The BJP tried to disrupt our rally today. But it should realise that we can not be silenced like this. We are not afraid of you. We are always ready for protests. Leading people’s movements is not new to the Congress. The Congress party led the poor, peasants, minorities and backward classes in the freedom struggle against the British. Not a single leader of the RSS or Jan Sangh was involved in the freedom struggle. What is more, for 52 years after independence, the RSS did not fly the national flag in its headquarters. We do not need lessons on patriotism from such leaders and parties,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.