Karnataka Election 2023: ‘Stupid’ for Congress to… Nirmala Sitharaman comments on banning Bajrang Dal
2 min read . Updated: 10 May 2023, 12:19 PM IST
PremiumAs per Nirmala Sitharaman, the Congress' manifesto in Karanataka has insulted Bajrang Bali.
The promise made by the Congress party to ban the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, has caused a stir in Indian politics. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while casting her vote in Bengaluru, referred to it as a prime example of stupidity. She noted that, for the Congress party, it was merely an election issue.
As per Sitharaman, Hanuman - also known as Bajrang Bali - is highly revered in the Hindu religion, and that the Congress' manifesto has insulted him. She also pointed out that Karnataka, where she was casting her vote, was the birthplace of Hanuman.
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"We always respect Bajrang Bali and read Hanuman Chalisa. But, for the Congress, it is an election issue. Karnataka is the birthplace of Hanuman ji. And they wrote it in the manifesto. Bewakoofi ki udaharan..." Sitharaman said.
The issue has sparked a major controversy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoking Bajrang Bali and the Congress accusing the BJP of equating Bajrang Bali with Bajrang Dal.
Congress Karnataka chief DK Shivakumar, in an attempt to remind voters of gas prices, recently offered prayers to a gas cylinder. He stated that he was simply following in the footsteps of Prime Minister Modi, who had urged people to do the same in the past.
In response, Bengaluru MP Tejasvi Surya said, "Karnataka, the land of Bajrang Bali, will answer all these things on May 13th. The Hindu philosophy sees God in everything. We welcome DK Shivakumar and Congress party offering prayers to LPG cylinders, we are happy that Congress is doing some kind of puja at least."
The election in Karnataka has been closely watched. As Karnataka votes cast vote on May 10, former Chief Minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Siddaramaiah also exercised his right to vote for the Karnataka polls. After casting his vote, he expressed his confidence that the Congress party would emerge victorious in the state by securing the majority of the votes.
Siddaramaiah stated that he has repeatedly stated that the Congress party would win more than 130 seats, and it could even go up to 150 seats. He urged the voters to choose the party that has worked for the welfare of the state and its people. He also emphasised that the future of the country is linked to this election.