Siddaramaiah's Lingayat Remark On B Bommai, Then A Hasty Clarification

The BJP was quick to launch a scathing attack against Siddaramaiah, saying he had insulted the entire Lingayat community.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has got himself into hot water for his jibe at the BJP's Lingayat push for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. When asked about the BJP's stance that a Lingayat should be the next Chief Minister, the congress veteran said, "There's already a Lingayat Chief Minister (BS Bommai). He's the root of all the corruption in the state".

The BJP was quick to launch a scathing attack against Siddaramaiah, saying he had insulted the entire Lingayat community. 

Mr Bommai accused him of ridiculing the entire Lingayat community, though Siddaramaiah later clarified that his comment was aimed specifically at the Chief Minister.

"It is not right for a former Chief Minister to make a statement like this. He has stated that the entire Lingayat community is corrupt. The Brahmin community had been ridiculed in the past. Earlier, he had tried to break the Lingayat-Veerashaiva community when he was the Chief Minister. The people of the state will teach Siddaramaiah a lesson," Mr Bommai said.