Bengaluru, Jan. 29 -- Backing the removal of Hanuman Dhwaj from a flagpost at a village in Mandya district by the local administration, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said he is a Hindu and believes in co-existence and tolerance.

"I am a Hindu and I love all people. I believe in co-existence and tolerance," he told reporters here.

Siddaramaiah blamed the BJP and the JDS for creating unnecessary issues in the run-up to the Lok Sabha election.

The Chief Minister said permission was only granted to hoist a national or a state flag, hence the district administration has taken appropriate action to bring down the Hanuman Dhwaj.

"Elections are coming, therefore, BJP is making this as a political issue," he said.

The contr...