Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh on Friday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party and Sangh Parivar for opposing American pastor Benny Hinn's prayer programme in Bangalore, which he attended along with some of his ministerial colleagues.

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He rubbished the BJP's claims that the state government permitted the three-day 'Festival of Blessings' by Hinn at the behest of the Congress high command and asked, "What did the Sangh Parivar do when the pastor held a similar show in Mumbai last year?"

Shiva Sena chief Bal Thackeray had attended the programme in Mumbai, Singh said.

"The Constitution has guaranteed right to all faiths to worship and practise their religion.

"I am going there as the chief minister of the state, as I have done on earlier occasions honouring invitations extended to me by several religious institutions.

"When our spiritual leaders can visit foreign countries and conduct prayers, why not leaders of other faiths be not tolerated by us?"

The CM appealed to people of the city to cooperate with the government in maintaining peace during the event.