New Delhi, March 4 2010: H D Deve Gowda, JD(S) chief, yesterday scornfully made a jab at the BJP-ruled Karnataka, stating that the situation in Karnataka is "worse than Gujarat" as far as violence related to religious discrimination is concerned.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa made a statement saying that last two days' violence in Shimoga and Hassan towns was due to certain "selfish elements", to which Gowda said, "Ever since BJP began its rule in the state, incidents of religion-related violence have only increased."

"In terms of religious discrimination, Karnataka is worse than Gujarat. When Yeddyurappa had taken oath as Chief Minister two years back, he had promised to give the state Gujarat-style governance. All the incidents of burning of churches in the state and religion-related violence are examples of his Modi-style of functioning," Gowda exclaimed.