Shiv Sena State president Siddalinga Swami on Wednesday criticised the former BJP MLA Dattatreya Patil Revoor for referring to the former Minister late Qamar-ul-Islam during a protest saying that the name of the deceased leader is being used for political purposes.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi, Siddalinga Swami dared Mr. Revoor to respond to Home Minister Priyank Kharge’s repeated questions regarding the registration of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), instead of referring to statement allegedly made by a leader who is no longer alive.

He said that Mr. Revoor should address the issues raised by Mr. Kharge rather than referring to the remarks of a departed leader for political gains.

“Mr. Revoor had shared the dais with Qamar-ul-Islam when he was alive. If he had any objection to his views or statement, why did he not raise the issue then?” Siddalinga Swami asked.

Siddalinga Swami said that Mr. Revoor’s remark has drawn criticism from supporters of Qamar-ul-Islam. He said that Mr. Revoor’s supporters later approached religious leaders seeking statement in his favour. He said that those religious leaders who benefited from Mr. Revoor’s tenure as MLA and chairman of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) should clarify their stand on the issue.

Questioning the silence of some religious leaders, Siddalinga Swami asked why head of Sulphul Mutt Sri Mahant Shivacharya, whom he described as being close to Mr. Revoor, had not issued a statement supporting him.

Reacting to Mr. Revoor’s claim that certain groups are targeting him on social media platforms because of the Congress government’s rule in the State and his decision to approach Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue, Siddalinga Swami accused him of adopting a selective approach to political issues.

He questioned why Mr. Revoor had remained silent when protests were held in Kalaburagi against Mr. Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi but is now seeking the intervention of BJP leaders at the Centre after facing criticism over his own remarks.

“When such protests and remarks were made against the BJP’s top leaders, why did he not respond? Now, when he is facing criticism, he is seeking support by invoking the names of leaders at the Centre,” Mr. Siddalinga Swami criticised.

Siddalinga Swami also said that the Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha in Kalaburagi has split into two groups with one leaning towards BJP leaders and the other Congress leaders.

He said that both groups selectively participate in political protests while remaining silent when poor and vulnerable members of the community face difficulties.