Hospet (Karnataka): Barely hours after Congress released its manifesto for Karnataka polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the Congress earlier had a problem with 'Lord Ram' and now the party has vowed to lock those who chant "Jai Bajrangbali".
Earlier, the Congress manifesto demanded a ban on Bajrang Dal terming it a communal force. "At a time when I have come to pay my respects in Lord Hanuman's holy land, the Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Bajrangbali. Earlier, they locked up Lord Ram. This is unfortunate," said the Prime Minister while addressing a rally in Karnataka's Hospet.
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The Congress equated banned Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) with Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Sangh-affiliated Vishwa Hindu Parishad, saying it will ban such organisations that promote "enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities". Its manifesto read: "We believe that law and constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on such organisations."
Modi also launched a diatribe on Congress accusing it of sitting with a bundle of guarantees these days in Karnataka. "The party that has lost the trust of common people and they can only lie in the name of guarantees. Congress guaranteed to remove poverty from the country but failed to do so. On the other hand, Congress leaders became millionaires and billionaires," Modi said.
Modi is scheduled to address four rallies in Karnataka where Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi are also hitting the campaign trail on the day. The state is witnessing a tight contest between BJP and its rival parties.
