After Honnalli legislator MP Renukacharya, Ballari City MLA Somashekara Reddy & Deputy CM Govind Karjol, it appeared the turn of revenue minister R Ashoka to show the BJP in poor light with controversial & provocative comments against a minority community. This, despite a gag order issued by state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Responding to questions on the Mangaluru International Airport bomb scare incident & how the main accused would have been treated had he been a Muslim, Ashoka on Thursday said "all anti-nationals must be shot dead". Meanwhile, Renukacharya, also a political secretary to chief minister BS Yediyurappa, continued his tirade against Muslims, insisting the government will not extend any "special package" to the community. 

On Thursday, soon after garlanding the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter, at Vidhana Soudha, Ashoka said that "All those who are singing the tune of Pakistan & indulging in anti-national activities, be they Hindu, Christian or Muslim, must be shot dead."

Asked to respond to Ex-CM HD Kumaraswamy’s accusation that the entire Mangaluru bomb incident was stage-managed by the BJP Govt to divert attention, Ashoka said the JD(S) functionary "must measure his words" & not speak "like a film director who can project the police as villainous all the time".

Ashoka said, "Kumaraswamy is a former CM. When in power, police were his closest friends, but now that he is not in government, the same police are villains".

The minister reiterated the government’s stand — first floated by home minister Basavaraj Bommai —

that Aditya Rao, the main accused in the Mangaluru bomb incident, is "mentally unstable" & needs to be medically examined. 

Renukacharya, meanwhile, justified comments made on Wednesday that the government will not offer Muslims "a special package".

On Thursday, Renukacharya said that "When they [Muslims] need development funds, they come to us & seek special packages. Once they get funds, they then vote for Congress or JD(S) in elections".

Renukacharya added, "We do not need people with such double standards. I will apply pressure on all ministers in the cabinet & even the chief minister to ensure they do not allocate any special package for the community."

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