Bengaluru, April 19: Aiming to polarise voters on communal lines in poll-bound Karnataka, BJP MLA Sanjay Patil made a hate speech against the minorities while campaigning in the Belagavi district. During a public address, the legislator said the upcoming elections is a fight between the proponents of Ram Mandir and Babri Masjid.

"This election is not about roads, water or other issues. This election is about Hindus vs Muslims, Ram Mandir vs Babri Masjid," Patil was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The MLA's controversial remark comes amid BJP president Amit Shah claiming that the party is fighting against the Siddaramaiah-led Congress on the core issues of development, corruption and law and order.

"Siddaramaiah has proved what is misgovernance. Youths not getting jobs. Farmers not getting adequate remuneration and women are feeling unsafe in all parts of the state," Shah had said during his recent public address in Hoskote.

"If the BJP gets elected, the state will scale the new heights of development under Yeddyurappa's leadership," he added.

The BJP chief, however, has made a point to target the Congress government on "minority appeasement". "The BJP believes in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, unlike the Congress which plays vote-bank politics for electoral gains," he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress has targeted the BJP of "unleashing its communal agenda" in the state. "The BJP wants to vitiate the state of communal harmony in Karnataka. But as long as Congress will thrive here, we will not let them succeed," said CM Siddaramaiah.

The polls in Karnataka are slated to be held on May 12, with the results scheduled to be declared on May 15. As per the first major opinion poll released last month, the incumbent Congress holds the edge. The survey, however predicts a hung assembly, with the Congress expected to win 90-110 of the 224 seats, followed by the BJP which could bag 72-86.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 19, 2018 03:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).