This is not the first time one of Sanjay Patil's videos have caused a flutter.
Highlights
- Video of Sanjay Patil provokes anger ahead of Karnataka assembly polls
- Says "This is a Hindu rashtra, we want to build Ram Temple"
- Says vote for Congress if you want Babri Masjid, Tipu Jayanti
A BJP lawmaker in Karnataka has provoked outrage with his comment that the
May 12 state election is "not about roads and drinking water but about Hindu-Muslim incidents". A video of the comments by legislator Sanjay Patil is in wide circulation in the acrimonious lead-up to the assembly polls.
"I am Sanjay Patil, I am Hindu, this is a Hindu
rashtra (nation) and we want to build the
Ram temple. If Lakshmi Hebbalikar (Congress candidate and president of KPCC women's wing) says she can build the
mandir - vote for her. They will build Babri Masjid instead. Whoever wants Babri Masjid, Tipu Jayanthi they should vote for the Congress. And who wants Shivaji Maharaj and Ram
Mandir should vote for the BJP," the lawmaker is heard saying in Kannada at what appears to be a public meeting.
It is not clear from the video when and where it was recorded.
Sanjay Patil represents the Belagavi Rural constituency in north Karnataka, near the border with Maharashtra.
This is not the first time one of his videos have caused a flutter.
In another clip last year, Sanjay Patil is heard shouting and threatening a police officer who was trying to maintain order during a motorcycle rally.
Sanjay Patil joins the ranks of the BJP's other controversial lawmaker,
Ananth Kumar Hegde, who is now a union minister.
Mr Hedge has provoked a massive controversy by talking of changing the Constitution, a remark for which he later apologised.