The Congress party’s promise of “decisive” action against the Bajrang Dal in its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly elections has been called an “insult” to Lord Hanuman by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has launched a new campaign around the deity. . Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala, who oversees the party’s Karnataka campaign, spoke Hindu About its political implications and other major issues. Edited excerpts:
What is working for the Congress and what worries you at this stage of the campaign?
eager to change 40% commission BJP Government [government] This is the focal point of the election. Coupled with several job scams such as the Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) recruitment scam, assistant professor scam, massive unemployment and backbreaking price hikes, the recipe for the overthrow of the Bommai government is complete. On the other hand, the Congress party has offered a positive narrative of the five Congress Guarantees: Grihalakshmi or ₹2,000 monthly in each woman’s bank account, Home light or 200 units free electricity for every house; Free bus travel for all women in Karnataka; Annabhagya, which will give free 10 kg rice for every BPL [below povery line] family member; and Yuva Nidhi or ₹3,000 monthly for every graduate for a period of two years. The only concern stems from a sense of responsibility towards the 6.5 crore Kannadigas, to the extent that the voice of the people is heard not only by the next Congress government but by the entire administration in unison.
BJP is attacking AAP for promising strict action against Bajrang Dal and comparing it with PFI [Popular Front of India] in his manifesto. PM Modi has asked the voters to punish the Congress by chanting the slogan ‘Jai Bajrangbali’ while pressing the EVM button. Is religious polarization doing you a disservice?
The Bommai government and the BJP leadership have no understanding of Hanuman Chalisa. only they understand Forty (40) percent commission. The Constitution and law of India are sacred to the Congress party. Karnataka has lost its leading position as an investment destination and an innovation hub due to the politics of hatred and caste-communal polarization unleashed by the Bommai government. The ultimate duty of the state is to uphold the constitution and law and also to punish those who spread enmity on the basis of caste or religion. Do Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Bommai have no faith in the Constitution and the law? In fact, the superficial politics of BJP is contrary to the concept of Hindutva and Indianness. The weakness of thought process and malicious prejudice in the minds of BJP leaders prevents them from understanding the meaning of Hinduism. Hinduism is compassion. Hindutva is renunciation. Hinduism is a sense of duty towards other beings. Hindutva is Justice – Justice for all. Hinduism represents Vasudev Kutumbukum The whole world is my family. Those – including the Prime Minister – who use Lord Rama or Lord Hanuman for political polarization or vote-gathering, are actually disrespecting and insulting the tenets of Hinduism. May Lord Rama and Bajrang Bali forgive their ignorance and malice.
Are you hoping that your demand for a caste-based census will counter the narrative of Hindutva?
Social justice and equality are the life and blood of Indian politics. The Congress government at the center had a caste census Which was completed in the year 2014. The Congress government led by Mr. Siddaramaiah also conducted a caste census in Karnataka. Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Bommai have refused to release the caste census data. This shows his anti poor, anti sc/st [Scheduled Castes and Tribes] and anti obc [Other Backward Classes] attitude. If the caste number is known, it will enable the State Government to distribute its resources in proportion to the SC/ST and OBC population. This is the foundation of social justice that Mr. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are trying to implement.
You have inducted many people from BJP and RSS. were you desperate
BJP strangles leadership, stifles expression of opinion and only wants subordinate puppets to sing to the tune of Modi band. Many competent and administratively competent people are feeling suffocated within the BJP, both in Karnataka and at the national level. Scratch the surface of any BJP leader and you can confirm this statement. so it was natural [that] Senior leaders like former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and former Deputy CM Laxman Savadi and many others have decided to move away from the BJP.
How will the Karnataka results affect the next round of assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan?
Every election is different, but there is a commonality of issues in Karnataka and the country that will resonate everywhere. Why should a gas cylinder which cost Rs 400 in 2014 cost Rs 1,100 today? Why should petrol price cross the ₹100 mark and diesel hovering at ₹90 per litre? Why should the Modi government collect 25 lakh crores from central excise duty and cess on petrol and diesel alone? Price rise, unemployment, wealth inequality and politics of hate, all issues need answers and will be relevant in every election.
The Congress has spoken openly about Muslim rights and insecurity. Does this mark a change in party strategy, and will it last?
The dharma of government is to uphold the constitution and law for both the majority and the minority. Equal opportunity, justice, safety and security for every citizen whether he is in majority or minority is the ultimate duty of the government. It does not matter whether you are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or Buddhist, all are citizens of India and have equal constitutional rights. The formula of the Congress is: Equality for all, discrimination against none. This is the basic principle of the constitution enacted by Shri Babasaheb Ambedkar.