Karnataka Assembly Polls: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday took a dig at Congress over the latter’s manifesto and said the grand-old party has “decided to lock Bajrangbali”.

While addressing a rally in Hospet district of Karnataka ahead of the Assembly Polls on May 10, PM Modi said, “Congress is sitting with a bundle of guarantees these days in Karnataka. The party that has lost the trust of common people and they can only lie in the name of guarantees. Congress guaranteed to remove poverty from the country but failed to do so. On the other hand, Congress leaders became millionaires and billionaires…”

PM Modi’s remarks came on a day when the grand-old party announced its vision for Karnataka if it comes to power in the state.

In its manifesto, the party said it will impose a ban on Bajrang Dal, which is a youth-wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), while retaining the one on Popular Front of India (PFI).

The party said Bajrang Dal will be restricted in the state for hindering peace and inciting communal disharmony. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of doing “appeasement politics” while advocating the side of Bajrang Dal.

“Appeasement Politics” 

In another rally that was held in Chitradurga, the Prime Minister said “Congress has a history of appeasement of terror and terrorists. When the Batla House encounter took place in Delhi, then the biggest leader of Congress had teary eyes after getting the news of the terrorists’ killings. When surgical strike and air strike happened, Congress questioned the capability of the forces of the country.

“You have seen in Karnataka how Congress has promoted terror. Congress had left Karnataka at the mercy of terrorists. It is the BJP which has broken the back of terror and has stopped the game of appeasement,” he added.

Also Read: Karnataka Assembly Polls: From free electricity to job creation; Key takeaways from Congress manifesto

BJP Leaders Object Ban

The bid of banning Bajrang Dal is turning controversial as the BJP leaders raising objections against it while, the grand-old party keeps it stand firm on it.

BJP leaders of neighbouring states bordered with Karnataka, Tamil Nadu also see the Congress’ move as “politics of appeasement.” Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said the grand-old party is ‘surely’ going to loose the Karnataka Assembly Polls on May 10.

“They are equating Bajrang Dal to the banned Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). They are doing appeasement politics. After the release of their manifesto, it is clear that Congress is going to lose big time on May 10. There is nothing progressive in the manifesto,” he said.

Congress to ban Bajrang Dal for revenge: Himanta Sarma

BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Congress announced to restrict Bajrang Dal in vengeance.

“PFI is already banned. Siddaramaiah government withdrew cases of PFI. So they are saying that to appease Muslims they will ban Bajrang Dal. Congress is saying that PFI cannot say that we will take revenge. Congress’ manifesto looks like the manifesto of PFI and fundamentalist Muslim organizations.”