Siddaramaiah should consider moving to Pakistan, says Jagadish Shettar after Karnataka CM’s anti-war comment

MP Jagadish Shettar criticizes CM Siddaramaiah's stance on war with Pakistan, suggesting he move there instead.

“It seems Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is becoming a very popular figure in Pakistan due to his advice to the Government of India against a war with Pakistan. It is better if he moves to that country,” MP and BJP leader Jagadish Shettar said in Belagavi on Sunday (April 27, 2025).

Answering a question on calls for waging war on Pakistani in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said on April 26 that there was no need for a war, but strict measures to strengthen security in the State should be taken. “We are not in favour of war. We want peace and security for the people. Centre should take steps to tighten security,” he said.

“Terrorists have massacred several tourists in Pakistan, including three from Karnataka. It is an unprecedented act of violence. It is obvious that they were backed by Pakistan,” he added.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to track down and punish the terrorists. However, the Central government has not yet declared war against Pakistan. In such a situation, Mr. Siddaramaiah has said there should be no war between the two neighbours. How can anyone accept this? But this statement has been welcomed by the people of Pakistan. I think it is better if Mr. Siddaramaiah moves to Pakistan,” Mr Shettar told reporters.

“The CM’s statement seems to be motivated by a desire to please the government of Pakistan and the Muslim community in India and Karnataka. Such appeasement should stop,” Mr. Shettar said.

He said that the decision to declare war is taken by the Union government and not by a State government or its leaders. “How long can we tolerate such acts of terror? We not only need to give a strict warning, but also need to carry out strikes against Pakistan. If we do no do that, such acts will continue. It is unbecoming of a leader in such a position to give such statements. It needs to be condemned strongly,” the MP said.