Congress asks EC to take action against Sanjay Patil

A Congress delegation on Friday met the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer demanding strict action against BJP MLA Sanjay Patil for his ''Hindu Vs Muslim'' statement.

While addressing a public rally in poll-bound Karnataka on April 17, Patil said that the upcoming assembly elections in the state is 'not about road or water or other issues. But about Hindus vs Muslims, Ram Mandir vs Babri Masjid'.

The Congress also submitted a letter to the Election Commission stating that the statement made by the BJP leader is violation of model code of conduct.

The party further termed Patil?s statement a hate speech against the minorities which allegedly aimed to polarize votes on communal ground.

It further urged the poll body to take action against Patil to ensure free and fair probe.

Earlier in the day, an FIR was registered against the MLA under Sections 253a, 259A of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Patil, Belagavi (Rural) MLA and BJP candidate, was seen making the purported remarks in a video shot in his constituency amid loud cheers by a crowd of his supporters.

According to ANI, he video was shot on 17th April. Two days after teh speech, an FIR has been registered against the MLA.

"...This election is not about road, drainage or drinking water. This election is about Hindu and Muslim religions," Patil had told the crowd.

"Keeping a hand on my chest I say loudly, this is Bharat, this is the country of Hindus, and this is the country where (Lord) Ram was born. We are prepared to do anything to construct Ram mandir in Ayodhya," Patil purportedly said in the footage.

Patil also told the crowd, which lapped up every word he said, that the Congress favoured constructing a mosque in Ayodhya instead of a Ram temple.

"Let Laxmi Hebbalkar speak about constructing Ram mandir, you all vote for her, but she can't say it, as she is among those who will construct a masjid, Babri masjid," he said, insisting the May 12 polls were "very important." Hebbalkar, the Karnataka Mahila Congress chief, is pitted against Patil from Belagavi (Rural) constituency.

"(Those) Who want to construct Babri Masjid... who want to celebrate Tipu Sultan's jayanti...let them vote for Congress."

"If you want Shivaji Maharaj, if you want Sambhaji Maharaj, if you want those who offer pooja at Lakshmi temple, you will have to vote for BJP," he added.

Belagavi (Belgaum) on Karnataka-Maharashtra border is a communally sensitive area with significant presence of Muslims and Marathi speaking Hindus.