Launching a scathing attack on the Congress and its allies, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused them on Tuesday of running an agenda of "Muslim appeasement" to seek votes in the Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP national headquarters here on Tuesday, Prasad condemned recent statements made by various Muslim organisations in Maharashtra and Jharkhand which he claimed were against the BJP and in favour of the opposition.
Prasad said the Congress, repeatedly thwarted at the polls, was resorting to tactics that compromise national unity. He was referring to the appeals made by Muslim organisations in these states which said the Congress and its allies were aligning with groups that opposed reform within the Muslim community. They cited opposition to the triple talaq legislation.
These are the same groups who opposed reforms in triple talaq. Congress, which is facing uninterrupted series of electoral losses, plots for winning elections using these elements," he said.
Pointing out Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that 'ek rahenge toh safe rahenge' (If we stay united, we will be safe), Prasad argued the Congress has mocked that statement and, more seriously, even filed objections with the Election Commission. He said brazenly allying with divisive forces, the opposition seems uncomfortable with national unity.
In Kerala also, his attack targeted developments made by the left alliance chief minister, who was stated to have criticized Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for reaching out to contentious elements in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.
He accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of trying to give reservations meant for the OBC and SC to Muslims, calling it unconstitutional. "The BJP will strongly oppose any such move," Prasad claimed.
He attacked an erstwhile MP Mohammad Adeeb's controversial statement "Pakistan Lucknow Tak Hota" and asked both Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi to seek clarifications from him as he had once been associated with the Samajwadi Party.
He also criticized the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's statement regarding Yogi Adityanath and saffron symbols saying they are "irresponsible and shameful." Prasad said, "Saffron is a part of the Indian Tricolour and adorns major temples across the nation. Yogi Adityanath was elected by the people's vote, not by anyone's grace."
BJP leader has called recent allegations of Uddhav Thackeray relating to the Election Commission of the country 'totally baseless'. Prasad questioned that why Thackeray was raising a hue and cry over a bag-check incident involving Eknath Shinde. "If there's nothing to hide, why is there such a fuss? If you're honest, showing a bag shouldn't be a problem," Prasad said.
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