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Eshwarappa’s ‘bypoll ticket not to a Muslim’ comment triggers political row

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 12/1/2020 11:46:52 AM

Bengaluru, Nov 30 Karnataka Minister and BJP leader KS Eshwarappa’s remark that his party won’t field a Muslim candidate for the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat bypoll has triggered a political controversy. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar said, “They should close the minority welfare department. They have not read the constitution, they do not know the constitution and they do not respect the constitution. This is the fate of the country today.” AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted, “Disgusting & shameful, but not surprising. Hindutva believes that only 1 community has the right to political power & all others are subservient. This ideology cannot co-exist with our Constitution, which talks about liberty, fraternity, equality & justice.” On Saturday, KS Eshwarappa, Karnataka’s Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and former Deputy CM, had said that the BJP would field a candidate from any sub-sects of the Hindu religion but not a Muslim. Eshwarappa had said, “Whoever we give it (the ticket) to-- Kurubas, Lingayats, Vokkaligas or Bramins - -but definitely not Muslims. There is no question of giving it to a Muslim. We will give it to a person of Hindutva. I don't know if we will give it to 'Rayanna Sri Kshetra' or 'Chanamma Sri Kshetra' or 'Shankaracharya Sri Kshetra'. We will sit and discuss." The Belagavi Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Union Minister Suresh Angadi died of Covid-19 in Delhi. The date for the bypoll is yet to be announced. Eshwarappa is known to make such controversial statements. In 2019, he had said, “We won't give tickets to Muslims in Karnataka.