Karnataka elections: We will re-open discussion on Lingayat issue if we win says Shah

BJP president Amit Shah said that the party would re-open discussions with all stake holders on the issue of a separate religious status for Lingayats once it comes to power in Karnataka.

This should not be made a poll issue and irrespective of which government comes to power, discussions to this effect would be held Shah also said. He said that a final decision in this regard would be taken only after proper discussions with all stake-holders.

Expressing confidence of a victory in Karnataka, Shah said that the people were looking for a change. He said that the Congress is desperate to win the elections in Karnataka.

The recovery of Voter ID cards in Rajarajeshwari Nagar shows how desperately Congress is to win the elections. I want to alert those whose fake IDs have been made not to fall into the trap set by the Congress Shah said. Congress has been making a desperate attempt to win the election at any cost. These attempts will not fail and instead it will boost our victory, Shah added.

He further said that development in Bengaluru is stuck like the traffic in the city. Once we come to power we will better the infrastructure and also ensure that every scam by the Congress is probed. We will make sure that all the money of the people that was robbed will be returned. Taking a dig at Siddaramaiah, he jokingly said that the BJP would not touch the Rs 40 lakh watch as it is with the assembly speaker.

On the impact Sriramulu has had on the campaign, Shah said that it has been immense. He has toured the entire state and it has had a major impact. He also said that Karnataka will be the BJP's gateway to the south. On a question regarding Janardhan Reddy, Shah said that he maintains that the BJP has nothing to do with him. He also said that none of the candidates who have been given tickets have a mining taint.