After Love Jihad remark, Nalin Kateel says Karnataka election is all about Tipu vs Savarkar

Kateel had kicked up a massive controversy after advising party workers to focus on fighting "love jihad" instead of civic issues such as road and sewage issues.

Bengaluru, Feb 09: After advising party cadres to focus on 'love jihad' than development, Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel has now said that assembly elections will be fought between the ideologies of Savarkar and Tipu.

"Karnataka assembly elections due later this year will not be fought between Congress and BJP, but between the ideologies of Savarkar and Tipu," Kateel said during his public address in Shivamogga.

He also dared former chief minister Siddaramaiah to hold a debate on who among the two is important for the state.

"They are allowed to celebrate Tipu Jayanti which is not required in this state. They also spoke disgracefully about Savarkar. I challenge Siddaramanna to hold a debate. Let's discuss and find out if this country requires a patriotic like Savarkar or Tipu," Kateel added.

Kateel had kicked up a massive controversy after advising party workers to focus on fighting "love jihad" instead of civic issues such as road and sewage issues.

Addressing party workers at 'Booth Vijaya Abhiyana' in Mangaluru, Kateel said "Do not discuss civic issues like roads and sewage...If you're worried about your children's future, and if you want to stop love jihad, then we need BJP. To get rid of love jihad, we need BJP."

Kateel further said that BJP is the only party that can bring a law against 'love jihad'.

"BJP was the one that brought a law against cow slaughter, and which introduced a law against religious conversion. BJP will be the one which will bring in a law against love jihad," Kateel said.

Nalin Kumar Kateel, a firebrand BJP leader has been active in politics for several years. His life as a politician has been mired in several controversies.
In 2021, Kateel kicked up saying that Hindus in Dakshina Kannada district were living in fear due to the actions of a minority community. The remarks were met with criticism by several political leaders and organisations.

During the COVID wave, Kateel had downplayed the severity of the pandemic and said that it was not as dangerous as other diseases.