Congress playing communal card in Karnataka: RS Prasad

New Delhi: Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said that the Congress leaders are playing communal cards in Karnataka.

He was talking to reporters after submitting Bharatiya Janata Party’s memorandum against the Congress with the Election Commission of India.

“The Congress is resorting to abuse of power and pandering to play communal card in Karnataka. We have submitted info on instances of Chief Electoral Officer not taking action, money being disbursed, leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad pandering to communal card,” Prasad said.

The BJP’s memorandum says,” In a public meeting on 1st May 2018 at Kalaburagi in Karnataka, Ghulam Nabi Azad, together with Mallikarjun Kharge, both very senior leaders of INC (Indian National Congress) had appealed to Muslims to cast their vote enmasse in favor of Congress candidates. This is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct and a criminal offence under the provisions of RP Act 1951.”

Prasad said the party has demanded the EC to take action.

Karnataka will vote on May 12, 2018, to send their 224 representatives to the state assembly. The counting of votes and announcement of result will take place on May 15, 2018.

The BJP is leaving no stone unturned to defeat the ruling Congress. Both the parties have pressed their star campaigners to woo voters. Siddaramaiah has filed his nomination papers from two constituencies: Badami and Chamundeshwari.

On the other hand, Janata Dal (Secular) led by former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda has forged a pre-poll alliance with Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). (ANI)