Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has urged the Election Commission to ban Prime Minister Narendra Modi from campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka, alleging that Modi was seeking votes on the basis of religion in the southern state. The Karnataka Assembly election is scheduled for May 10, and counting of votes will take place on May 13.
Gehlot, a senior leader of the Congress party, accused Modi of violating the Election Commission’s guidelines by making religious appeals during his campaign in Karnataka. “Read the law… if someone talks in the name of religion, on religious grounds in the election campaign, ban should be imposed. His (Modi) election stands rejected,” Gehlot said at a press conference.
The Congress party, which is in power in Karnataka, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Modi, of trying to polarize voters along religious lines in the state. In its poll manifesto for the Karnataka polls, the Congress said it was committed to taking firm and decisive action against individuals and organizations such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India “spreading hatred” among communities on grounds of caste and religion.
The Bajrang Dal, a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization, has been accused of inciting violence against minorities, while the Popular Front of India, a Muslim organization, has been accused of promoting extremist views. The Congress manifesto has sparked controversy, with the BJP accusing the party of targeting Hindu organizations and trying to appease Muslim voters.
Gehlot’s call for a ban on Modi’s campaigning in Karnataka has also drawn criticism from the BJP. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar accused Gehlot of making baseless allegations and said the Congress was resorting to divisive politics. “Congress party is the master of dividing society. They are now targeting Hindu organizations. It is shameful,” he said.
The Congress and the BJP have been locked in a bitter battle in Karnataka, with both parties accusing each other of playing communal politics. The BJP, which is hoping to unseat the Congress in Karnataka, has accused the ruling party of neglecting the interests of the state and of being soft on terrorism.
The Congress, on the other hand, has accused the BJP of trying to impose a Hindu nationalist agenda on the state and of promoting the interests of the wealthy at the expense of the poor. The party has also accused the BJP of trying to polarize voters along religious lines to win the election.
The Karnataka election is being closely watched by political observers, as it is seen as a key test for both the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2019 general election. The outcome of the election could have a significant impact on the political landscape of the country, as it could influence the mood of voters in other states.
As the election draws closer, the political temperature in Karnataka is rising, with both parties intensifying their campaigns. The Congress has accused the BJP of trying to communalize the election by making religious appeals, while the BJP has accused the Congress of neglecting the interests of the state and of promoting corruption.
As the battle heats up, the Election Commission will need to keep a close watch on the campaigns to ensure that they do not violate the guidelines and that they are conducted in a peaceful and fair manner. The outcome of the election will be closely watched not only in Karnataka but across the country, as it could have a significant impact on the political landscape in the run-up to the 2019 general election.
