Mysuru: Constitution does not permit the Government to be in favour of any one religion. Neither the Centre nor the State Government can be partisan to any one religion. There is no provision for it in the Constitution,” said Opposition Leader and Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Addressing Iftar party in the late evening of Sunday April 17, Siddaramaiah said, “The Constitution had also made it clear that the country does not belong to any one religion. The country has people belonging to all religions as Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others have all struggled for the country’s independence. All of us are Indians first. Then we are Hindus, Muslims and Christians. We are all from India. We study together, we work together and we should all build the nation together. If we are elected back to power, we will ensure that all religions are treated equally,” Siddaramaiah added.

Speaking to media persons regarding corruption in the appointment of PSIs he said “Many people had complained to me and in fact, I had requested for a thorough probe. The guilty should be punished. The BJP government is raking up other issues to protect save its skin.”

Siddaramaiah said, “Why are they talking of corruption when Congress was in power? Why did not they raise the issue then? Now that we are raising a voice against corruption, they are trying to divert people’s attention. If BJP leaders think people will believe them, they are miserably mistaken,” he said.

The Congress leader said, “Dingaleshwara Seer has said his matha has to give commission to get grants from the Government. I don’t know how far it is true and I don’t want to comment on that.”

Siddaramaiah noted that there is corruption everywhere. Despite knowing this, the State BJP Government is trying to turn a blind eye, which is a serious offence, added Former Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah.