Vijayapura: Regretting that many youth of backward communities are becoming prey to the communal agenda of the BJP and spoiling their careers, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Backward Classes Cell State President Madhu Bangarappa said that the Congress is appealing to the youth not to get driven by the BJP communal agenda.
Addressing mediapersons on Tuesday January 10, he said that the party is also holding awareness programmes where this appeal is made to the youth too.
“The youth of backward communities must understand that they are being used by the BJP for political gains. While the party gets benefits from instigating communal violence, the youth ultimately end up in jails facing criminal charges. The Congress is making them aware of this harsh reality and we hope that the youth will realise it and will not fall into the trap of the BJP,” he said.
Bangarappa claimed that in at least 100 cases filed against youth for communal violence, there are at least 75 youth from backward communities. He held Vishwa Hindu Parishad Leaders such as Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat responsible for instigating youth from backward communities and creating communal tension. Bangarappa also held BJP responsible for creating a communal charged situation in Malnad which was otherwise a peaceful and harmonious place.
“Since BJP has no development agenda, it spreads communal agenda to gain political mileage in the election. The people must realise it and stop voting for the BJP,” he said exuding confidence that the Congress will come to power in the coming polls in the full majority without giving any space for a hung Assembly.
Expressing anguish over the reported speech of BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel who has asked the party workers to raise issues such as ‘Love Jihad’ than talking about basic amenities, Bangarappa said that Kateel who is an MP is ineligible to hold that Constitutional post.
“The person who wants his party workers to raise communal issues rather than development issues certainly has no right to hold Constitutional posts. He is unfit for such an important post,” he charged.
Stating that the State has around 55 per cent population of backward communities, he said that he has appealed to the party to give more seats to the leaders of the community in the coming Assembly polls.
He said that the party should not only give more authority in the party but should also give powers to the Government after coming to power.
Asserting that the party will be holding several district-level conventions for the Backward Classes, he said that a mega convention of the communities would be held in the first week of March.
“We are planning to hold events in some districts of Central Karnataka such as Haveri or Hubballi. We have decided to invite Rahul Gandhi to the event and I am personally going to meet him after January 15 to invite him to the event,” he said.
