Belgaum (Karnataka) [India], Apr. 19 (NT): with Sparking a new controversy, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Sanjay Patil has become the talk of the town of poll bound state Karnataka. He said that the upcoming Karnataka assembly election 2018 is "not about roads and drinking water but about Hindu-Muslim incidents".

Addressing a public meeting in Karnataka's Belagavi, Patil said, "This election is not about roads, water or other issues. This election is about Hindus vs Muslims, Ram Mandir vs Babri Masjid”, as quoted by ANI.

He further said in his speech , "I am Sanjay Patil, I am Hindu, this is a Hindu Rashtra (nation) and we intend to build Ram temple."

He continued to his anti-Muslim address and added, "Whereas Lakshmi Hebbalikar (Congress candidate in Belgaum constituency) wants to build Babri Masjid. Whoever wants Babri Masjid, Tippu Jayanthi they should vote Congress. And who wants Shivaji Maharaj and Ram Mandir should vote for BJP."

It is noted that Sanjay Patil represents the Belagavi Rural constituency in north Karnataka. This is near the state’s border with Maharashtra.

 Worth mentioning here Karnataka will go to polls on May 12 to elect its representatives for the 225-member assembly while The results will be out on May 15. (NT)