Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday asserted that the decision taken by the state government a few days ago to withdraw notices issued to farmers by the Waqf Board, claiming ownership of their lands, does not had not been taken out of fear that the BJP would stage state-wide protests.

He also added that this was not a new issue and the BJP, during its tenure in the state, had issued notices in 216 cases.

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi on Monday, he said, “Regarding the Waqf issue, even after clarifying that the notices have been withdrawn, the BJP is playing politics. It was not because of the BJP’s protests that the advisories to farmers were withdrawn. As soon as we became aware of the issue, we decided to remove the reviews.

Siddaramaiah added, “The BJP, during its tenure in the state, had issued notices in 216 cases. Why did they issue opinions? The Waqf notices were issued during the tenure of former CMs BS Yediyurappa, DV Sadananda Gowda, Jagadish Shettar and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

CM Siddaramaiah further said that BJP leaders are not fighting over issues, they are making false allegations and holding protests for political reasons.

“Where is the problem regarding the Waqf dispute? Former CM Basavaraj Bommai earlier said that every inch of encroached Waqf property would be taken back and why is he speaking differently now? It was only for political reasons that Bommai made a U-turn.

“The BJP is fighting to gain political ground and people have understood that. The issue of Waqf property is not new. Notices were also issued to farmers during their (BJP) tenure and successive governments issued notices,” reiterated CM Siddaramaiah.

“I clearly stated after meeting Ministers HK Patil and Krishna Byre Gowda that the notices issued by the Waqf Board should be withdrawn. Directions have also been issued to reverse the changes made in land records,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

“Farmers should not be displaced for any reason, whether they belong to Hindu, Muslim or Christian religion,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking about former BJP MP Pratap Simha’s statement that CM Siddaramaiah became a Muslim except for sunnat (circumcision), he said, “Pratap Simha is a communal person. He has no respect for the Constitution and democracy. He is trying to survive in politics by pursuing a divisive agenda and winning votes.”

Asked about criticism on zero development, CM Siddaramaiah said, “We are indeed discussing development and do we not have guarantees on development policies? During my previous term as CM, we made 165 promises. Of these, 158 of them are filled. Isn’t that development?

“Of the Rs 3.71 crore state budget, Rs 52,000 crore is spent on safeguards and Rs 60,000 crore is spent on development schemes. This money is spent on irrigation, DDP, rural development, road construction, bridge construction. Isn’t this about development? What else do you mean by development? CM Siddaramaiah questioned.