'Let BJP Make Chrisitians, Muslims Rajya Sabha Members Or Union Ministers,' Says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

Gadag (Karnataka): Defending the decision to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday hit out at the BJP for opposing it and asserted that the Congress government thinks about all citizens.

He said let the BJP make people from Chrisitians and Muslim communities MLCs or Rajya Sabha members or ministers in the union cabinet.

Shivakumar was reacting to state BJP president B Y Vijayendra's post on 'X', accusing the government of Muslim appeasement, while criticising the decision on reservation for Muslims in public contracts.

Vijayendra said: "The BJP has always adhered to the principle of equality in share and livelihood for all, but the Congress government has decided to follow the policy of majority for Muslims, small share for others and has set fire to the concept of the state being a garden of peace for all races, as envisioned by Kuvempu (in the state anthem)." Reacting to this, Shivakumar said, whether it is Muslims or Christians or Sikhs or Buddhists, all are citizens of the country and Karnataka state.

"We think about all minorities and backward classes. He (Vijayendra) is speaking about equality. Let him or his party make persons (from minority) as MLC, or Rajya Sabha member, or ministers in the central government," he said.

Speaking to reporters here, the Deputy CM said, let the BJP give such positions to a couple of Christians or three Muslims, then Vijayendra will have the right to speak about equality in share and livelihood for all.

"Let him read the state anthem written by Kuvempu properly, as to who all will form a garden of peace. He has now become the president of the BJP, let him be at his level," he added.

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