Mangaluru: BJP State president Nalin Kumar Kateel said the Republic Day tableaux controversy was a political ploy, and an attempt to mislead the people.

He said an expert committee, under the ministry of defence, has formed guidelines for the selection of the Republic Day tableaux.

The Kerala government did not follow the guidelines, and is now stating that they were not given an opportunity to present the social reformer Narayana Guru’s tableau in the Republic Day parade. This is a political ploy.

The Congress and the Left parties are misleading the people by providing wrong information on the issue. It is unfortunate that politics is being played in the name of social reformer Narayana Guru. The Congress and the Left parties have always followed an anti-Hindu policy, and this is also an attempt to divide the Hindus. After becoming the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had visited Shivagiri and offered prayers, Kateel said.