Bengaluru, March 31, 2018: Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra today hit out at Rahul Gandhi saying that the Congress president will soon start wearing his "temporary janeu" since the Karnataka election is around the corner.
Patra's comment was a reference to Rahul Gandhi claiming that he is a 'janeu-wearing Hindu' after a controversy had erupted in 2017 over his visit to a temple in Gujarat where he allegedly signed in the non-Hindus register.
"Now, he says 'get my temporary janeu, get my teeka'. Such fancy dress competitions and make up do not make election victories," Patra said at the India Today Karnataka Panchayat 2018 in Benguluru today.
Later in the debate, Patra raised the matter again saying that Rahul Gandhi, unlike in the past, was flaunting his Hinduism now with the janeu overtly visible.
Patra also attacked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for being a silent spectator to the woes of farmers.
"In Kannada, 'nidda' means sleep. People of Karnataka, hence, call him 'Niddaramaiah' instead of Siddaramaiah because he has slept throughout his five-year term," Patra said.
Criticising the Congress government in Karnataka over the attacks on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers in the state, Patra said that the party did not deserve to form a government this time alleging poor law and order situation in the state.
"What the people of Karnataka need is 'vikas'. The country and Karnataka need 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," Patra said.