The Congress get together’s promise of “decisive” motion in opposition to the Bajrang Dal in its manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly election has been referred to as an “insult” to Lord Hanuman by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which launched a brand new marketing campaign round the deity. Randeep Surjewala, the Congress normal secretary overseeing the get together’s Karnataka marketing campaign, spoke to The Hindu about its political affect and different key points. Edited excerpts:
What is working for the Congress and what worries you at this stage of the marketing campaign?
A craving to vary the 40% fee BJP sarkara [government] is the centre level of this election. Coupled with a number of job scams like the police sub-inspector (PSI) recruitment rip-off, assistant professor rip-off, rampant unemployment and back-breaking value rise makes the recipe for throwing out the Bommai authorities full. The Congress get together, on the different hand, has supplied the constructive narrative of 5 Congress ensures: Grihalakshmi or ₹2,000 month-to-month in each lady’s checking account; Griha Jyoti or 200 free models of free electrical energy for each family; free bus journey for all ladies in Karnataka; Annabhagya, that can give 10 kg of rice free for each BPL [below povery line] member of the family; and Yuva Nidhi or ₹3,000 month-to-month for each graduate for a interval of two years.
The solely fear arises from a way of duty in direction of 6.5 crore Kannadigas, to the extent that the voice of individuals is heard not solely by the subsequent Congress authorities however the complete administration in unison.
The BJP is attacking you on the promise of robust motion in opposition to Bajrang Dal and likening it with the PFI [Popular Front of India] in your manifesto. PM Modi has requested voters to punish the Congress by chanting Jai Bajrangbali whereas urgent the EVM button. Is this inflicting non secular polarisation to your drawback?
The Bommai authorities and BJP management haven’t any comprehension of Hanuman Chalisa. They solely perceive chalis (40) % fee.
The Constitution of India and the legislation is sacrosanct for the Congress get together. The purpose why Karnataka misplaced its frontline place as an funding vacation spot and an innovation hub has been the politics of hate and caste-communal polarisation perpetuated by the Bommai authorities. The bounden responsibility of the State is to uphold the Constitution and the legislation as additionally to punish these spreading enmity on the grounds of caste or faith. Do Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Bommai not have religion in the Constitution and the legislation?
In reality, the superficial politics of BJP is an antithesis to the very idea of Hinduism and Indianness. The infirmity of thought course of and malicious prejudice carried in the minds of BJP leaders prevents them comprehending the very that means of Hindu dharma. Hinduism is compassion. Hinduism is sacrifice. Hinduism is a way of responsibility to different beings. Hinduism is nyaya — justice for all. Hinduism depicts Vasudev Kutumbukum — the complete world is my household.
Those — together with the Prime Minister — who use Lord Ram or Lord Hanuman for political polarisation or vote garnering really disrespect and insult the very tenets of Hinduism. May Lord Ram and Bajaranga Bali pardon their ignorance and malintent.
Are you hoping that your demand for caste census will counter the Hindutva narrative?
Social justice and equality is the life and blood of India’s polity. The Congress authorities at the Centre carried out a caste census which was accomplished in the 12 months 2014. The Congress authorities headed by Shri Siddaramaiah additionally carried out a caste census in Karnataka. Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minster Bommai have refused to launch the caste census information. This displays their anti-poor, anti-SC/ST [Scheduled Castes and Tribes] and anti-OBC [Other Backward Classes] mindset. If the caste numbers are identified, it might allow the State authorities to distribute its assets in proportion to the inhabitants of SC/ST and OBCs. This is the very basis of social justice that Shri Rahul Gandhi and the Congress get together are in search of to implement.
You have inducted a number of individuals from the BJP and RSS. Were you determined?
BJP suffocates management, stifles expression of opinion and solely desires subservient puppets singing to the tunes of the Modi band. Many in a position and administratively succesful persons are feeling suffocated inside the BJP, each in Karnataka in addition to nationally. You scratch the floor of any BJP chief and you may confirm this assertion. It was, subsequently, pure [that] senior leaders like former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and former Deputy CM Laxman Savadi and lots of others have determined to maneuver away from BJP.
How will the Karnataka end result affect the subsequent spherical of Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan?
Every election is differen,t however Karnataka and the nation have a commonality of points that can resonate in all places. Why ought to a gasoline cylinder that was priced at ₹400 in 2014 value ₹1,100 right this moment? Why ought to the value of petrol cross the ₹100 mark and diesel is hovering at ₹90 per litre ? Why ought to the Modi authorities accumulate 25 lakh crore from central excise and cess on petrol and diesel alone? Price rise, joblessness, wealth disparity and the politics of hate, all points want solutions and can stay related in each election.
The Congress has spoken overtly about Muslim rights and insecurities. Does this mark a change in the get together’s technique, and can it endure?
The dharma of the authorities is to uphold the Constitution and the legislation for each the majority and the minority. Equal alternative, justice, security and safety of each citizen, be of majority or minority is the bounden responsibility of the authorities. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or a Buddhist, all are residents of India and have equal constitutional rights. The Congress components is: equality for all, discrimination in direction of none. This is the basic precept of the Constitution as enacted by Shri Babasaheb Ambedkar.
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