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- Published: May 5, 2023 15:37
New Delhi: Congress manifesto for Karnataka Assembly elections stirred a hornet’s nest by proposing a ban on organizations like Bajrang Dal and also triggered a flurry of reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) & other Hindu outfits.
The BJP and other right-wing outfits have stepped up their attack on the grand old party over its proposal to equate Bajrang Dal with radical outfits like Popular Front of India (PFI) and proposing a ban on it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP’s attack on Congress and linked the proposed ban with disrespect of Lord Hanuman. While the electioneering in poll-bound Karnataka is at feverish pitch, many BJP workers today gathered outside Cong office and recited Hanuman Chalisa.
Meanwhile, the BJP turncoat Jagadish Shettar who quit the party & switched over to Congress over denial of poll ticket sought to dodge the issue and said that there was no proposal to ban Bajrang Dal.
When questioned by scribes, Shettar said, “Banning any organization is the power of the central government, not the state government. Veerappa Moily clarified that there is no question of banning Bajrang Dal.”
Cong on the defensive over row
Congress party has gone on the defensive and is trying to stem any potential damage from BJP invoking Lord Hanuman in the poll campaign.
Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar did a temple run at Chamundi Hill yesterday & promised to build more Hanuman temples in the state.
Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily said there was no proposal or suggestion before party to ban Bajrang Dal. Speaking to newsmen, he said that the power to ban any organization lies with Centre & not state govts.
All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi took the opportunity to slam both Congress & BJP for seeking votes on basis of religion.
The Hyderabad MP trained guns on both the national parties and asked them to refrain from polarization politics in the midst of election.
