Karnataka Congress leaders on Friday hit out at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bajrang Dal, and other Hindutva outfits for polarisation of society on religious lines and pledged to defeat the ruling BJP in the 2023 Assembly elections.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council B.K. Hariprasad said: “We can defeat the BJP, but we have to fight the RSS.” The BJP has been propagating communal agenda, he said, and stressed the need for opening the Congress’ gates to youngsters by teaching them the Congress ideology and history. He was speaking at a meeting organised by the party to prepare for 2023 Assembly elections in the State, attended by former AICC president Rahul Gandhi.
Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said the BJP and right-wing groups work against the spirit of the Constitution to disturb communal harmony in society. The BJP Government has been raking up sensitive issues, he said, pointing to anti-conversion Bill, row over hijab, campaign against halal, and attempts to ban Muslim traders from setting up shops at Hindu temple festivals.
The BJP and the Sangh Parivar have no respect for the Constitution and have been placing communal issues before the electorate to win elections, he said. The Hindutva outfits have been misleading the youth and society. The objective of the Congress was to expose such communal politics of the BJP, Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
Though the Congress demanded a ban on RSS, SDPI and Bajrang Dal, the BJP government had declined to do it because they (BJP leaders) want to create social disharmony, he said.
‘Be clear in stand’
“We have to be clear in our stand to safeguard the Constitutional principles and secularism,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said, apparently referring to the “soft Hindutva” approach adopted by some leaders. “If we are not clear in our stand on issues related to minorities, Dalits, and backward class people, then we cannot give justice to them. The minorities are under a lot of anxiety owing to recent issues,” the former Chief Minister said.
“We have to save our democracy and Constitution. I think party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will not compromise on these issues,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
He asked Mr. Gandhi to take steps to ensure selection of party candidates for 2023 Assembly elections six months in advance so that candidates would make arrangements for financial and other resources.
New members
KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar said 60 lakh new members have been enrolled in the party. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said the leaders have to give strength to the voices of the poor and marginalised sections.
A short film on the Congress work for the last two years was shown to Mr. Gandhi during a two-hour long programme. Mr. Gandhi also held a meeting with first time MLAs and women office-bearers of the KPCC and concluded his two day visit to the State.
