MLA Anand Singh, local BJP leaders participate in Tipu Jayanti

BJP MLA B.S. Anand Singh speaking at the Tipu Jayanti celebrated in Hosapete city on Friday

Even as the BJP strongly opposed the State government celebrating Tipu Jayanti, its MLA, B.S. Anand Singh in Hosapete and local leaders in Ballari participated in the celebrations on Friday.

In Hosapete city, Mr. Anand Singh, in his inaugural address, was of the view that during olden times many incidents might have taken place under various rulers and it was not fair to raise a controversy now. “There have been protests against Tipu Jayanti organised by the State government. Even our party is against it. But I am not that big a politician who can speak about the controversy. I am a simple man preferring to be amongst the people and discharge my responsibilities. I don’t want to indulge in any kind of politics. As a human being, I will be pained to know if any community is in distress and will rush to offer help”, he said.

“I belong to a party. But as long as people are with me, I am confident that the parties would come to me,” he observed.

Mr. Singh expressed concern over ‘jayantis’ being celebrated in the State of late and exhorted the public not to be carried away by them, but act according to their conscience.

‘No information’

Later, responding to questions by presspersons, Mr. Singh said that he had no information about the party or the party president giving instructions /restrictions over participating in the Tipu Jayanti celebrations. “Like any other jayanti I have participated in this function too”, he said.

In Ballari city, local BJP leaders in Cowl Bazar locality celebrated Tipu Jayanti in front of the BJP office. Incidentally, minorities are in more in number and the party leaders might have thought of holding a function in order not to antagonise the minorities with elections to the Assembly round the corner.

Elsewhere, the portrait of Tipu was taken out in a procession as part of the celebrations and floral tributes were paid. In Ballari, N.Y. Gopalkrishna and Anil Lad, both MLAs, and the Deputy Commissioner were among other elected representatives and officials to participate in the function.