NEW DELHI – The Congress celebrates “sultan jayanti” to get votes inKarnataka but doesn’t honour other leaders, said Prime Minister NarendraModi on Sunday in remarks seen as referring to Tipu Sultan, the ruler ofthe kingdom of Mysore who died fighting the British.

Modi was speaking at an election rally in Chitradurga when he accused theCongress of not honouring local heroine Onake Obavva, a woman who foughtthe forces of Hyder Ali, the father of Tipu Sultan.

“People of Chitradurga know about the bravery of great woman Onake Obavvawho resisted the reign of the Sultans. I salute the valour of Onake Obavva.Look at the Congress, leaders whom they should remember and celebrate, theydo not.

But, they are at the forefront of celebrating jayantis of sultans for votebank politics. The Congress has insulted the people of Chitradurga,” hesaid.

Tipu Sultan, the former ruler of Mysore, evokes intense admiration. He ishailed as a freedom fighter for fighting the British, but his critics — theBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sangh Parivar — say he killed Hindusand Christians during his expansion into the region in the late 1700s.