Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah posted a cryptic tweet, worded in Kannada, on Sunday morning, which talks of compromises made 'for the good of the people'.

The tweet read: "Sometimes compromises need to be made for the good of the people. Even I could have, but I do not compromise on the fundamental doctrine of secularism. I don't care."

ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಹಿತದೃಷ್ಟಿಯಿಂದ ಕೆಲವೊಮ್ಮೆ ರಾಜಿಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳ
ಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ, ನಾನೂ ಮಾಡಿರಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಜಾತ್ಯತೀತತೆಯಂತಹ ಮೂಲಭೂತದ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತದ ವಿಷಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ರಾಜಿಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾರೆ. ಅಧಿಕಾರ ಇರುತ್ತೆ, ಹೋಗುತ್ತೆ. I don't care.

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 11, 2018

The thinly veiled comment, in the backdrop of yesterday's Tipu Jayanti celebrations that were given amiss by the current chief minister, HD Kumaraswamy, is being seen as a rebuke against him for his absence.

Kumaraswamy, notably, has not been a supporter of Tipu Jayanti celebrations initiated by Congress leader Siddaramaiah. He chose to skip Saturday's Tipu Jayanti celebrations owing to ill health.

A statement from the Chief Minister's Office stated that the chief minister wasn't taking part in the celebrations due to ill-health and that there was no need to add a special meaning to it.

"The government is observing the birth anniversary of Hajarath Tippu Sulthan today all over the State. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy commends Tipu Sultan's progressive measures in administration, and his quest for innovation are commendable. He has also stated that as he is taking rest on doctor's advice he is unable to take part in the programme," the statement said, adding, "It is unnecessary to add a special meaning to it. It is also far from truth that he isn't taking part due to the fear of losing power, as he opposes such blind beliefs."

The Karnataka government had, last week, announced it would celebrate Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary despite opposition by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other right-wing outfits. Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara, who also was not in attendance, had said the celebrations would take place under tight security.

The BJP claimed Kumaraswamy stayed away from the celebrations due to differences over the issue with coalition partner Congress.

State BJP cell, on Saturday morning, questioned the intention of the Congress party of holding the celebrations when the state chief himself was missing.

"While Cong-JDS govt is celebrating a tyrant Tippu, the CM himself goes into hiding, what is the point of celebrating a fanatic when CM himself abandons a govt function. Glorifying a mass murderer just for vote bank clearly shows mindset of this govt," it tweeted.

The Tipu Jayanti celebrations, which began in 2014, have been marked by protests every year. While Tipu Sultan is considered a freedom fighter by the state government, the BJP sees him as a "religious bigot".