Karwar: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should be given Nobel Prize for dividing a community and making it two separate religions, said Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa.

He told reporters in Ankola on Saturday that many Congress leaders and ministers have opposed announcement of separate Lingayat religion. But without considering their opinion, Siddaramaiah went ahead with his plan and announced Lingayat religion.

On arrest of BJP leader Suraj Naik Sony for allegedly assaulting cow smugglers in Honanvar recently, Eshwarappa alleged that the Congress government was behind the arrest of the BJP leaders. It has been misusing the police department to file false cases against the BJP workers.

As just two months are left for the Congress government in the state, it is ‘misusing’ the police department to suppress the BJP workers. The department is supposed to protect all the people of the state.

Eshwarappa participated in a BJP convention in Ankoal town, which was attended by thousands of people. BJP leaders Roopali Naik and Dinakar Shetty were present.