Bengaluru/IBNS: Karnataka Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, whose daughter Neha was killed by one Fayaz Khondunaik, has claimed "love jihad is spreading" in the southern state despite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's citing of "personal reasons" behind the murder, media reports said.

Niranjan Hiremath said as quoted by NDTV, "These things are happening. When we observe in various places, their cruel nature is increasing. The youngsters are going astray. Why they go through such mental state? We have lost our daughter.

"This shouldn't happen to anyone else. That's our prayer. We have seen others suffering like this. I feel that this problem of Love Jihad is spreading."

A massive slugfest between the incumbent Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started after Neha Hiremath, 23, was stabbed seven times by a former student- named Fayaz- of the same college in Hubballi.

Police suspect the first-year student of Master of Computer Applications was killed because she had rejected Fayaz's advances.

The accused has reportedly claimed during an interrogation that he had a relationship with Neha and she was ignoring him of late.

The matter got political with the BJP claiming a deterioration of law and order in the state while the ruling party highlighted the personal reason.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X, "Shocking state of affairs in Karnataka. When daughter of Congress is not safe from Fayaz who is? Broad daylight murder , terror attack at Rameshwaram cafe.. Dalits attacked , Hindus chanting Jai Shri Ram attacked, actress faces attack.. many such incidents And we see father of Neha say one thing but CM,HM doing Votebank politics & giving cover fire to “Fayaz” mindset !

"Why such soft approach & clean chit before investigations? So many incidents of murders & law & order issues have taken place in last 24 hours.. Karnataka has seen the worst government - no water; no law & order…only appeasement From Bengal to Bengaluru - INDI alliance means votebank ki suraksha not mahila suraksha."

Rebutting charges, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the murder was caused due to "personal reasons".

Siddaramaiah said, "Whichever murder happened is due to personal reasons. The law and order situation is very good in Karnataka, It is our duty to maintain law and order and we are doing it..."