Taking strong exception to claims by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya that Bengaluru has become an epicentre of terror activities, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday termed it as an 'insult' to the city.
The former Chief Minister without mentioning Surya's name urged the saffron party to seek apology from the person concerned for the "trivial" comment, as he expressed apprehension that statement might have been part of conspiracy by the north Indian political lobby, unable to digestBengaluru's growth.
"Statement from some immature within the BJP that Bengaluru has become epicentre of terror activities was an insult to Bengaluru. I have seen in the media the misery that chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had to face during a press conference, unable to defend the statement. This immature statement was also aninsult to seniors in BJP," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
Noting that Bengaluru was not limited to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (civic body) polls, or 28 assembly segments or 4 Lok Sabha segments, Kumaraswamy said it is our pride. Such a trivial statement 'insulting' the city just for polarising the votes was an offence, and the BJP has to seekapology from the person concerned, he said.
Claiming that Bengaluru has become an epicentre of terror activities, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya had on Sunday said he has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to set up a permanent division of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the city. A day after becoming the president of the BJP's youth wing, Surya had said many terror modules have been busted in Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, in the recent past.
The terrorist groups want to use the city as an'incubation centre' for terror activities. Yediyurappa on Monday had played down Surya's statement while endorsing the need for a NIA division in the city.
Pointing out that some people with alleged terror linkswere caught after D J Halli violence, Kumaraswamy said, "Ourcriticism should be against terrorists and not against theplace which is giving food, shelter and life to crores ofpeople like a mother. Just because terrorists were caught here, Bengaluru doesnot belong to them. Bengaluru is ours." Bengaluru that was established by Kempegowda's (city'sfounder) sacrifice, is today world renowned, it is growingfaster than any other city in the country, he said adding thatthere are apprehensions that this remarks were part of aconspiracy by the north Indian political lobby, unable todigest the city's growth.
".. for some people infatuation towards the north is morethan the respect of the motherland," he further added. Surya's statement has drawn criticism from Congress too.
"BJP MP @Tejasvi_Surya calling Bengaluru, a global cityknown for Technology and Innovation, as an epicenter of terroris highly condemnable. GDP growth has crashed and with such statements, whichinvestor will come to Bengaluru & Karnataka? Will PM and FM@nsitharaman answer?" KPCC President D K Shivakumar tweeted onMonday.
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