With only five days left for the Karnataka elections, political parties have ramped up their campaigns and amid a political slugfest, Lord Hanuman has emerged as the latest election issue of the BJP and the Congress. This happened when Congress in its manifesto promised to ban organizations like Bajrang Dal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised slogans of Jai Bajrang Bali while campaigning for his party BJP.
What do the survey results say?
Now, the ABP-C-Voter survey has given surprising results when the people of Karnataka were asked whether the Congress would benefit from this move. According to public opinion, 37 per cent believe that this will benefit the Congress while 44 per cent believe that it will not. On the other hand, 19 percent of those surveyed chose not to comment.
What is Bajrang Dal controversy?
The Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto in which the party promised to ban organizations like Bajrang Dal and PFI, accusing them of spreading hatred and enmity. There was a sharp reaction from Bajrang Dal workers and BJP leaders on this. Though PM Modi did not mention Bajrang Dal, he invoked Bajrang Bali to woo the voters. BJP leaders and Bajrang Dal workers also recited Hanuman Chalisa across Karnataka today in protest against Congress. Former Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa today burnt the Congress manifesto, while Bajrang Dal workers tore the Congress document during a public protest.
Congress will build Hanuman temple
Seeing the matter getting out of control, the Congress felt heated and took a defensive stand. Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar went into damage control mode and went to Chamundi Hill Temple in Mysuru. After worshiping Chamundeshwari, the goddess of Mysuru, as well as Anjaneya, Shivakumar promised to either build more Hanuman temples or renovate existing ones across the kingdom. He also promised to set up a board to oversee the development of Anjanadri Hill. “We are coming out with programmes. The Congress will frame special policies for the development of all important Anjaneya temples, especially historical places associated with Anjaneya,” he said.
Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerappa Moily on Wednesday said the party has no proposal to ban Bajrang Dal if voted to power. Elections in Karnataka will be held in a single phase on May 10 and the result will be declared on May 13.