Bengaluru: Prime Karnataka Congress leaders, together with former chief minister Siddaramaiah and state unit president D.Ok. Shivakumar, have been unaware of the promise within the celebration’s manifesto to “ban” organisations just like the Bajrang Dal till it hit the headlines, a number of leaders near them have advised ThePrint.
The sources stated that the clause had been inserted by manifesto committee vice-chairman Ok.E. Radhakrishna, with the approval of Randeep Surjewala, the All India Congress Committee normal secretary in-charge of Karnataka.
In its manifesto, the Congress allegedly stated it could ban the Bajrang Dal — the youth wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad — and the outlawed Islamist group Standard Entrance of India, saying such organisations promoted “enmity or hatred” towards communities.
Whereas the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) was fast to grab the chance, presenting the alleged promise as an assault on Lord Hanuman (Bajrang Bali), the Congress has since denied it had used the phrase “ban”, saying that it solely promised motion towards such outfits and that banning organisations was not the state authorities’s realm of powers, based on media stories.
ThePrint reached each Radhakrishna and Surjewala for a touch upon the matter by textual content and name. Whereas Surjewala didn’t reply, Radhakrishna stated he was unwell.
ThePrint additionally reached Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. This report will probably be up to date when a response is obtained.
Sources near Surjewala, in the meantime, advised ThePrint that the manifesto committee was conscious {that a} clause mentioning the 2 outfits was being included.
“It was thought that mentioning the Bajrang Dal would consolidate Muslim votes and mentioning the PFI would additionally counter the BJP’s allegation that the Congress would take away the ban on the organisation,” a supply near Surjewala advised ThePrint.
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‘Deliberate selection’
Coming because it did lower than 10 days earlier than the Karnataka elections, the Bajrang Dal controversy has threatened to scuttle the Congress’ technique — up to now focussed on native points — and convey Hindutva to the centrestage.
In the meantime, the BJP has been attempting to nook the Congress on the subject. Addressing a ballot rally in Vijayanagara district hours after the Congress launched its manifesto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the Congress first tried to lock up Hindu god Ram and now it was attempting to do the identical with those that chant ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’ (Hail the lord Hanuman).
On its half, the Congress has gone into injury management mode — on Tuesday, a day earlier than the state votes, Shivakumar visited Hanuman temples and promised to assemble one if the celebration got here to energy.
A day earlier than Karnataka votes, the Congress continues to be assessing what injury the Bajrang Dal controversy might do to its electoral prospects.
Nevertheless, at the very least 4 senior Congress functionaries in Karnataka confirmed to ThePrint that neither Shivakumar nor Siddaramaiah knew that such a clause was inserted within the manifesto.
A celebration functionary aware about the deliberations advised ThePrint that though the highlights of the manifesto have been shared with them in a gathering, the promise of a ban on organisations just like the Bajrang Dal wasn’t talked about.
“Vice-chairman of the marketing campaign committee, Ok.E. Radhakrishna, included it within the manifesto, and the identical was signed off by AICC normal secretary in-charge Randeep Surjewala. Neither Shivakumar or Siddaramaiah have been knowledgeable of the choices,” he stated.
One other functionary advised ThePrint that it was a “mistake” and occurred due to oversight.
“None of us knew the contents of the manifesto as we didn’t have time to learn the draft. We additionally discovered that this factor (about Bajrang Dal) was there when it hit headlines,” stated a 3rd functionary, including that whereas there was a dialogue within the AICC to place one thing about motion towards extremist spiritual organisations within the manifesto, it was a retrospective determination to call the PFI and the Bajrang Dal.
Sources near Surjewala, nonetheless, stated that it was a acutely aware determination to incorporate each Bajrang Dal and PFI. After a lot deliberation, the leaders determined to call Bajrang Dal, a pacesetter who didn’t wish to be named advised ThePrint.
“Had we not stated something concerning the PFI or any ban, it could have been seen like we haven’t taken a stand towards terrorism. However had we chosen solely to place Bajrang Dal and never a banned organisation like PFI, then we’d have been seen doing minority appeasement once more,” a pacesetter stated.
“There have been discussions on which organisation would show to be least damaging for us. The Bajrang Dal is an lively organisation, however its political impact may be very restricted. Most individuals who vote for the BJP after being influenced by the Bajrang Dal will not be fence sitters, so it could trigger us a lot hurt,” the chief added.
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)
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