"Agar Hindustan mein rehna hai toh Jai Shri Ram kehna hoga" says Anant Kumar Hegde in Bhatkal

Bhatkal 10 May 2018: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) Bhatkal-Honnavar candidate for assembly elections Sunil Naik on Thursday held a roadshow in Bhatkal, he was accompanied by Anant Kumar Hegde and other party members during the roadshow which began from Downtown public chabutra and dispersed at Ranginkatte after a fiery speech by Hegde. Hundreds of party workers and supporters joined the march, and marched through the NH 66 chanting 'Modi Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. Union Minister and Uttara Kannada MP Anant Kumar Hegde, known for his controversial statements triggered yet another controversy when he said "Agar Hindustan mein rehna hai toh Jai Shri Ram kehna hoga" (If you want to live in India, you will have to say 'Jai Shri Ram') Speaking about the presence of Terrorist elements in the region he added "The terrorists from Bhatkal have disrupted peace of the country, and that they need to be taught a lesson which can only be done by voting BJP into the power". "Voting for Sunil Naik has become very important as every seat count, and to bring BJP into power in the state we need to make sure we win Bhatkal seat as well" he added. Hegde later accused Siddaramaiah of his alleged involvement in robberies of donation box in Hindu temples and questioned his religious (Hindu) credibility, further stating everyone who reside in India has to say 'Jai Shri Ram'. He further compared the Congress government with 'Cancer to the society' and said the 70 years ruled by the Congress has taken the nation backward and voting BJP into power is the only solution to the nation's problems. “Our win will be a reply to the terrorists, Congress and these corrupt people” he added. "There is no doubt we will be celebrating BJP’s victory on May 15^th (scheduled for the announcement of the results of elections) and hence I request people to unite and vote for BJP and make the Lotus bloom in the land for many more decades". Hegde's statement comes just two days before the polling day in Karnataka ass the state goes into assembly elections and can play an important role in attracting the votes of extremist Hindus and it will be interesting to see how the election commission, other authorities and the media react to this statement of a Union Minister on the face of elections. CLICK HERE for picture of Sunil Naik's roadshow (Bhatkallys News Bureau/ Fristen Dias)