Three statues and a message from Karnataka BJP

Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has visited Karnataka six times this year, with an eye on the upcoming elections.

During his second visit in three days, Shah unveiled the statues of Sardar Patel in Gorta, Bidar, Jagajyoti Basavanna and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in Bengaluru.

The message from the BJP in the unveiling of these three statues is clear. The party is looking to reach out to several sections in the state. Both Basavanna and Kempe Gowda are the icons of Karnataka's two most dominant castes, the Lingayats and Vokkaligas.

In Bidar, Shah referred to freedom of the district, which was achieved only after then Union Home Minister, Sardar Patel took a strong stand against the Nizam-ruled state of Hyderabad. Shah said Congress never speaks of the sacrifices made by the people of Gorta.

He said that for a karyakarta like him, it is an emotional moment to recognise the sacrifices of the people of Gorta. They were brutally killed by the cruel Nizam army for unfurling a two and half foot Tricolour, he said.

Today, a 20-foot statue of Sardar Patel Saab has been unveiled in recognition of the efforts made to remove the Nizam from Hyderabad and give freedom to Bidar, Shah added.

Shah also later unveiled the statue of 12 century social reformer Basavanna and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda. The bronze statues of Basavanna and Kempegowda were installed only last week. This is being seen as a move by the BJP to reach out to the dominant Lingayats and Vokkaligas.

Shah said that every legislator who enters the Vidhan Soudha will remember message of social justice and democracy that Jagadguru Basavanna preached. They will also remember the good governance and development that Kempegowda spoke of and practised, Shah added.

Shah also sent out a message to the people to bring the BJP back to power. There was a slight shortage in your blessings the last time as you gave us only 104 seats. This time I appeal to you to bless us with a majority, Shah said.

He went on to add that the double-engine government led by Narendra Modi will make Karnataka number one. Karnataka does not need a party that is infested with in-fighting with leader vying for the CM's seat. The comment was an obvious dig at the Congress.