Cong plaint accuses Modi of ‘asking votes in Hanuman’s name’

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) legal cell has written to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Meena complaining against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for invoking the deity Hanuman in his speech at Mulki town in Dakshina Kannada district on Tuesday. They held that invoking religion or deities and asking for votes in their name constituted a violation of Representation of People’s Act and the Model Code of Conduct.

They also demanded that authorities keep an eye on use of state resources in the Prime Minister’s rallies in Karnataka, including his upcoming road show. Modi had said: “Just when I had come to the pure land of lord Hanuman to pay my respects, Congress has decided to lock up those who chant his name,” he said.

“When you vote, say ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’ (victory to lord Hanuman) and then press the button to punish them (Congress),” he had added. The prime minister was referring to Congress manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections purportedly mooting a ban on organisations that spread hatred in the name of religion, including Bajrang Dal.