Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma speaking at a press conference at the BJP Media Center in Mangaluru on May 7, 2023. Photo Credit: HS Manjunath
The Congress manifesto shows the “real face of hatred” for the majority community, which is the true character of the party, alleged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Mangaluru on May 7.
Many people are saying that the Congress manifesto is a self-goal. This is not a self goal, but the real face of hatred for the majority community. I have studied the history of the party, this is the real character of the Congress,” Mr. Sarma said.
In the manifesto, the Congress has equated the Popular Front of India (PFI), already banned for their alleged involvement in extremist acts against the nation, with the Bajrang Dal, which is “not an extremist organisation”, Mr Sarma argued. By saying that Congress will ban organizations like PFI and Bajrang Dal, Congress is giving tit-for-tat assurance. “This is nothing but giving an olive branch to PFI, which is condemnable,” he said.
When asked that Bajrang Dal workers were accused in cases of ethical policing in Karnataka, Mr. Sarma said, “How can you link ethical policing cases with acts against the country?”
The Congress manifesto also talked about Rs 10,000 crore for Muslims and reservation for Muslims. He said, ‘It is completely appeasement of Muslims.’
Criticizing the “guarantees” of the Congress, Mr. Sarma said, “guarantee” is a new thing that the Congress has added to the political vocabulary. “Political parties can only give humble assurances but how can they give guarantees,” he said. How can people believe the guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi who moved to Kerala after the defeat in Amethi. The Congress has not yet implemented the poverty alleviation promise made by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Criticizing the allegations of corruption leveled against the Basavaraj Bommai government, Mr Sarma said the Congress has defended Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in the Bofors scam and accused in the Bhopal gas tragedy. “The Congress should not talk about corruption,” he said, referring to the corruption charges against state Congress president DK Shivakumar. “His [Shivakumar] The wealth has increased to ₹1,500 crore, while the wealth of [Chief Minister] Basavaraj Bommai,” he said.
The BJP would definitely win more than 150 seats, he said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would continue to spend more time in Karnataka till May 8 to ensure the formation of a BJP government in Karnataka.
On Congress’ allegation that Mr. Modi is ignoring Manipur, which is currently in turmoil, Mr. Sarma said, Mr. Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are trying their best to bring peace in Manipur.