Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, May 3: Congress has condemned the BJP branding the youth who joined the party on the basis of their religion. .
After some youth joined BJP in Mangaluru South constituency on Wednesday, May 2, BJP said that ‘some Christian youth joined the party,’ as the Congress.
The youth joined BJP under the leadership of Gladwin D’Silva, secretary, BJP Minority Cell, Mangaluru South constituency. But after the programme the BJP leaders highlighted this as ‘Christian’ youth joining the party.
Youth joining BJP
A C Vinayaraj from Congress
Condemning the religion based branding of members, A C Vinayaraj, corporator and spokesperson of Congress told Daijiworld “BJP is playing very cheap politics in this election. In Mangaluru South no one can stop J R Lobo from winning. Knowing this, frustrated BJP is using the card of religion. At the time some members joining Congress, we never project them as Christians, Muslims, Bunts or Billavas. But besides the religion, BJP does not have other issues to talk,”
“The speeches on election rallies and campaigns from BJP are only limited to communal polarization. Last week a video was circulated and in that the wife of Vedavyas Kamath was seen seeking votes in the name of religion. It proves BJP already surrendered in front of J.R Lobos 5 years of leadership. So they are trying to split the society on the basis of religions. It proves that BJP is not respecting the Constitution. All the lovers and believers of democracy should condemn the narrow mentality of BJP,” he said.
“Last week, while addressing BJP party workers, PM Modi advised that this election should be fought on development. But here in Mangaluru South, desperate BJP candidate Vedavyas Kamath’s wife was caught on camera asking votes in the name of religion. Now another leader is creating a controversy by saying Christian youth joined BJP. Let BJP clarify openly on what basis they fight election,” Vinay Raj questioned.
“It is very dangerous to use religion in politics. In a democratic country it should not be allowed. We cannot put a label on a political worker as Christian, Hindu or Muslim. Earlier BJP attacked Congress that it is appeasing particular communities. But by branding its members as Christians, Muslims, Billavas or Bunts, BJP is disobeying our Constitution. Eighty percent of Congress members are from Hindu community. But our party never says we are for Hindus or Muslims. We are working for the betterment for our nation. The welfare of people is our main motto. It includes all religions,” he informed.
"We are challenging the BJP of Dakshina Kannada for debate on developmental works and the people-friendly administration of Siddaramaiah. We are also ready to debate on Modi government. We are complaining about this incident to Election Commission as we possess video evidence,” he concluded.