Mangaluru, (The Hindu): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in acts aimed at polarising voters on communal lines and take political advantage in the ensuing Assembly elections.

Speaking at a convention of party workers from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Madikeri here, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the BJP was taken aback by the announcement on farm loan waiver up to an extent of ? 50,000. There was nothing for the BJP to speak against his government. Hence, it was trying to create trouble in places such as Bantwal and disturb peace.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the BJP was trying to adopt the strategy of polarising voters that had paid rich dividends to the party in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. “They (BJP activists) are saying that they will bring (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi for campaigning. But, this is Karnataka not Uttar Pradesh,” he reminded them.

The strategy used in Uttar Pradesh will not succeed in Karnataka, which was the land of social reformer Basaveshwara, Sufi saints and the Sharanas. Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the Congress will stand by secular values and work for peace in the region, which will help the party retain power in the ensuing elections.

Referring to the group clashes and murder in Bantwal, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that these incidents are the result of provocative speeches by some people who are trying to incite communal hatred.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that he has directed the police to take tough action against such people. “Let it be the People Front of India or representatives of Hindutva groups, tough action will be taken,” he said.

Calling upon party workers to work hard in the next eight months to ensure victory in all 15 Assembly seats in the three districts, All India Congress Committee General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said that the party wants office-bearers to be active. “If the District Congress Committee is not working, then we will have no hesitation in reconstituting it,” he said and asked presidents of the three district units to constitute booth committees.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwar said that by July 30, all the 66,000 booth committee in the State will be constituted and booth agents appointed. The former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily, KPCC Working Presidents D.K. Shivakumar and S.R. Patil also spoke.