MANGALURU: As the political debate over the Congress election manifesto promising to ban Hindu right-wing organisation Bajrang Dal over issues of alleged religious extremism holds centre stage in the run-up to the assembly polls, raising the pitch against the principal opposition was none other than the Prime Minister himself.
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Karnataka Election 2023 LiveIn a definitive show of defiance against the proposed Congress ban, PM Narendra Modi chanted “Jai Bajrang Bali” at all the three public meetings he addressed in the state on Wednesday.
Along with fervent chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, the PM made it a point to begin and end his addresses with a “Jai Bajrang Bali” at Mulki in Dakshina Kannada, Ankola in Uttara Kannada and Bailhongal in Belagavi district — all BJP strongholds.
In its election manifesto, Congress said: “We believe that law and the Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals andorganisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI (Popular Front of India) or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities.”
Close on the heels of the release of Congress manifesto, Modi had said at a public meeting in Hospet, Vijayanagara, on Tuesday: “Initially, they (Congress) had locked up Prabhu Shri Ram. Now they want to lock up people who chant ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’.”
On Wednesday, carrying on from where he had left off, Modi began his speech at Mulki, about 30km from Mangaluru, with the slogan “Bajrang Bali ki jai” and concluded it by exhorting the gathering to shout the same slogan three times.
Modi said: “Congress is the enemy of peace and development and it is following the policy of appeasement, which is the only identity of the party. States that want development are wiping out Congress.” He took a swipe at the party for what he claimed were insults on soldiers/defenceforces. “First-time voters in Karnataka are going to shape the future of the state and ensure prosperity for themselves. If you want to develop your career and take up the job of your choice, it will not be possible through the Congress,” he said.
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