Law & order state subject, Centre can't be blamed: Gowda

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda today suggested that the central government was not responsible for the "growing intolerance" in the country, saying law and order is a state subject.
He, however, said the beef-eating controversy is a creation of the RSS and some parliamentarians linked to the sangh are to be blamed.
"What the Indian government can do? I am sorry, law and order is a state subject. As a former Prime Minister myself, how can I jump to a conclusion that the central government is responsible (for the growing intolerance). I have some knowledge of administration. I don't want to speak more on this issue," he told reporters here.

Gowda was asked who was responsible for incidents such as Dadri lynching and murder of writer M M Kalburgi.
"Beef-eating row is a creation of RSS. This issue has been created by some of the sitting members of the Lok Sabha. These are internal problems of their own party. RSS is the mother of all these political wings. BJP is the political wing of the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP," he said.
Responding to a query on the outcome of Bihar polls, he said it's a battle between the sitting Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, and it's difficult for him to say how people would respond to Modi's talk on development and Nitish Kumar's administrative performance.

It maybe difficult for BJP and the NDA to tarnish Kumar's image since nobody can question his performance as the Chief Minister for the last nine years, Gowda said.