Mystery haunts Congress over Bajrang Dal, PFI inclusion in poll manifesto
With the high-octane election campaign coming to an end today in Karnataka, many senior Congress leaders want an internal inquiry to be held to fix responsibility on naming “Bajrang Dal and PFI” in the manifesto. The Congress has been in the line of fire ever since the release of its manifesto on May 2 by Mallikanrjun Kharge, Siddaramiah, DK Shivakumar and others promising to act tough against PFI and Bajrang Dal.
According to the sources, the idea was floated to pledge punitive actions against those groups spreading hatred in society. But it did not name any of the organizations. It transpires that a senior central leader asked a manifesto committee member to name such organizations. It is said that no thorough discussion took place on inclusion of their names. This leader is reported to have spoken to K E Radhakrishna, who is co-chairman of the manifesto committee headed by former Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara with Radhakrishna and Madhu Bangarappa as vice-chairmen among others. Radhakrishna was convener of the manifesto committee in 2013 Assembly polls which the party had won.
A senior AICC leader revealed that the committee had a para on bringing harmony among various groups by acting tough against fundamentalist bodies without naming them. But the senior functionary wanted them to be named.
The state leadership had always been pleading with the Central leaders that the poll campaign should focus on local issues and avoid all national controversial issues.
The party is unable to assess damage it may have caused electorally as the BJP grabbed the opportunity of banning Bajrang Dal. Even the PM made full use of the issue during his rallies. Many feel that the idea of banning these bodies should have been attributed to a recent SC judgment which directed States/UTs to take suo-motu action against hate speeches.
