Congress to maintain guarded silence on Bajrang Dal ban issue

BENGALURU: In poll-bound Karnataka, the Congress provoked Hindu activists with a controversial proposal in its manifesto to ban the Bajrang Dal. Till a few days ago, state Congress chief D K Shivakumar too had justified the party position.

But with the issue taking a different turn after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Congress wants to “lock up Bajrang Bali” and started making ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’ chants in all his campaign speeches, the Congress has now decided maintain silence on the issue rather than give ammunition to the BJP.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, KPCC president D K Shivakumar, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and other leaders released the manifesto.

The Congress leaders and candidates have decided to maintain distance from the topic and it is said that they have come to the conclusion that it is better for them not to respond to the issue and that only central leaders will respond to the BJP allegations.

However, since it is declared in the manifesto, the candidates do not want to be drawn into any controversy as it could affect their individual prospects. The Congress leadership is making all efforts to calm the situation.