NEW DELHI: An FIR has been filed against BJP MLA Sanjay Patil from Karnataka on charges of delivering rabble-rousing words in Belagavi. In his address, he said about the upcoming Karnataka polls that "this election is about Hindus vs Muslims".

"India is a Hindu country and there must be a Ram Mandir. I am committed to the construction of the Ram Mandir. Let Congress candidate Laxmi Hebbalkar make clear her stand on Ram Mandir. If she tells she is committed to it, I too will vote for her. If you vote for the Congress, they will only build Babri Masjid," Patil lauded in the rally.

Criticizing his comments, Congress candidate Hebbalkar said it's obvious that Patil is playing the Hindutva card as BJP has nothing to say about development and has put nothing for the constituency for 10 years.

Addressing at a campaign meeting in Sulebhavi village four days ago, Patil,  BJP MLA from Belagavai, said the assembly election is not a battle for good roads, drains and drinking water but a clash between Hindus and Muslims. A video of his speech has rounded on social media.

MLA Patil added that those who want Babri Masjid and Tipu Jayanti can vote to Congress, while those who want Shivaji can follow the BJP. Patil has often sparked controversy with his provocative speeches.