Bengaluru: Major irrigation minister D K Shivakumar’s apology for dividing the Veerashaiva religion has now divided the state Congress unit. On Friday, April 12 night, home minister M B Patil took a dig at DKShi, asking who he thinks he is to apologise.
According to those close to Patil, who led the separate Lingayat religion movement in the state, the minister called KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao over the phone and took a dig at DKShi.
“Who is he (DKShi) to apologise? Did he fall from the sky? What is his problem with our religion? Why has he been creating nusance for many days,” he told Rao.
“First reform him. Then you change us. Warn him,” he said.
Patil also warned that if DKShi does not change his behaviour, he will lodge a complaint with AICC president Rahul Gandhi. “DKShi is fueling the fire in this issue,” he told Dinesh.
“Let him organise the party in the Vokkaliga dominated areas. We know his objectives,” he said.
