Bengaluru: Housing minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and chief minister Siddaramaiah’s economic adviser Basavaraj Rayareddi sparked controversy by suggesting a possible BJP link behind the suicide bombing in Delhi that killed 13 people. “There is a certain amount of doubt behind the timing of the bomb blast,” said Rayareddi in Koppal. “It came a day before polling in Bihar. This doubt has risen because it is said BJP and PM Modi can go to any extent (for power).” Khan, who met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru, voiced similar suspicion. “What is surprising is that the blast happened a day before elections,” he said. “Media outlets have questioned the timing. I too have heard that there are some links between the bombers and politicians. If this is true, then whoever is using the bombing for political gains, neither he nor his family shall fare well in life.” Rejecting any link between Islam and terrorism, Khan added: “Nowhere in Islam does it say to indulge in terrorism. They are not Muslims.” On Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said only an investigation would determine why the incident occurred a day before polls in Bihar. He also questioned the pattern of such incidents during elections. “What is the reason for terrorist attacks in the country during elections?” he asked on ‘X’. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a full probe by the Centre. “In the national capital, despite having so many intelligence and investigation agencies, the Centre failed in ascertaining this dastardly attack. However, we will wait for the probe report to come and raise the matter during the winter session of Parliament (from Dec 1),” he said. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra condemned the remarks, calling Congress members “irresponsible and insensitive” and indulging in “low-level politics”. BJP MLC CT Ravi accused Congress of politicising a national tragedy. “The blast may prove politically beneficial for Congress. Does it mean it should have happened after the elections?” he asked.
