Page 6 - The Indian EYE 051223

NATION MAY 12, 2023 | The Indian Eye 6

Karnataka campaign goes high-voltage as

BJP corners Congress over Bajrang Dal ban

Congress’ promise to ban Bajrang Dal has drawn criticism from the BJP with its leaders

coming out in defense of the organization and slamming the grand old party

OUR BUREAU
Bengaluru
arnataka Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) leader KS Esh-
Kwarappa on Thursday burnt
the Congress manifesto released for
the upcoming state Assembly polls for
the party’s promise to ban Bajrang Dal
on the lines of the Popular Front of In-
dia if voted to power.
Eshwarappa alleged that state
Congress president DK Shivakumar
and senior leader Siddaramaiah pro-
moted “casteism” in the state and de-
manded the Election Commission to
arrest both leaders. “Both Karnataka
Congress president DK Shivakumar
and Senior Congress leader Siddara-
maiah have been promoting casteism
in the state. For doing this, the people
of Karnataka have already rejected
them. Bajrang Dal is a nationalist out-
fit and always will be. But Congress
wants to name Bajrang Dal with PFI,”
the BJP leader said.
“People of Karnataka will reject
them in the upcoming elections. But
before that, I put this before the Elec-
tion Commission to arrest Shivaku- Bajrang Dal members stage a protest against Congress’s manifesto for Karnataka Assembly elections, in Dehradun on Thursday (ANI)
mar and Siddaramaiah,” he added.
Congress’ promise to ban Bajrang Karnataka do not support the “black on Tuesday, PM Modi had slammed ‘shortcut politics’ of the two parties.
Dal has drawn criticism from the BJP culture” of abuses and said they Congress over its Karnataka election Amid the row over the Congress
with its leaders coming out in defense should punish those making hurling manifesto and said the party was at- manifesto mentioning the ban on the
of the organization and slamming the such words by saying ‘Jai Bajrangbali’ tempting to lock up those who worship Bajrang Dal outfit, former Karnataka
grand old party. when they cast their vote. Lord Hanuman. Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Sec-
With a week to go for assembly The Prime Minister said BJP “Today it is my great fortune to ular) leader HD Kumaraswamy said
polls in Karnataka, political parties wants to make Karnataka the number bow down to this holy land of Lord that the grand old party is raising the
have stepped up their campaign and one state in India and has a roadmap Hanuman. But see the misfortune, issue now but did nothing during their
senior leaders of BJP, Congress and and a plan. Attacking Congress, he said today when I have come here to bow rule in the state.
JD-S addressed rallies and held road- a way to seek votes “is to abuse Modi”. down to Hanumanji, at the same time The remarks came in the wake
shows to woo voters on Wednesday. “What is the other way to seek the Congress party has decided to of Congress’ manifesto for the May
Prime Minister Narendra Modi votes, abuse Modi, abuses are being lock up Bajrangbali in its manifesto. 10 Assembly elections in Karnataka,
addressed rallies in the state and ac- hurled...does anyone in Karnataka ac- Earlier Shri Ram was locked up and wherein the party bracketed outlawed
cused Congress of “abuse culture”. cept black culture, like a culture where now they have taken a pledge to lock Popular Front of India (PFI) and Ba-
BJP chief JP Nadda, Congress gen- anyone can abuse, accept a culture of up those who chant Jai Bajrangbali. It jrang Dal together and stated it would
eral secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra abuse...does Karnataka forgive those is the misfortune of the country that ban the organizations once it is voted
and Janata Dal-Secular leader HD who hurl abuses. What will you do the Congress had problems even with to power. “All those things are not im-
Kumaraswamy also campaigned in this time, will you punish... when you Lord Shri Ram and now it also has portant. When Congress Govt ruled
the state. Sources said Congress par- press the button at the polling booth, problems with those who say Jai Ba- for 5 years, why did they not ban it
liamentary party chairperson Sonia punish those who abuse by saying ‘Jai jrangbali,” he had said. then? Why are they raising the issue
Gandhi will campaign in Karnataka Bajrangbali’,” he said. Addressing an election rally in now? We have to change the culture of
polls on May 6 and address a rally in Polling for Karnataka elections Bailhongal earlier on Wednesday, PM those organizations. We have to teach
Hubbali district. will take place on May 10 and count- Modi attacked Congress and Janata them how to behave in public life.
Addressing a rally in Uttara Kan- ing of votes will take place on May 13. Dal-Secular (JDS) and said people That is important,” says JD(S) leader
nada, PM Modi said the people of Addressing a rally in Vijayanagara of the state must be careful about the HD Kumaraswamy.

www.TheIndianEYE.com