Karnataka elections: ‘I don’t want a BJP-mukt Bharat,’ says Rahul Gandhi

If the BJP wants a "Congress-mukt Bharat", Rahul does want a "BJP-mukt Bharat".

Bengaluru, May 3: While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is determined to eliminate the Congress from across the nation, president of the grand old party, Rahul Gandhi, has a fresh view on the whole matter. If the BJP wants a "Congress-mukt Bharat", Rahul does want a "BJP-mukt Bharat".

In an exclusive interview to Deccan Herald, Rahul said, "I am saying that the BJP view is a fact in India, and I do not want a BJP-mukt Bharat. I will fight them, I will defeat them, but it is an expression and I accept that all voices must be heard. Where I draw the line is violence. Where I draw the line is hatred. My main concern with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) view and the BJP view is violence, hatred, animosity."

Rahul's comment on the whole matter came at a time when the Congress and the BJP are pitted against each other in the fierce battle for Karnataka. The southern state is going to polls on May 12. The results of the Assembly elections will be out on May 15. The elections will be held for 224 Assembly seats in Karnataka.

"You might have noticed Mr Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) talks very disparagingly about me, about other Congress leaders. I will always respect the post of the Prime Minister. You will not see me using the same type of language," the 47-year-old Congress chief told Deccan Herald.

Talking about the upcoming polls in Karnataka, Rahul said, "The central fight in Karnataka is between the BJP ideology and the Congress ideology." Rahul also asked the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) to be clear whether it is going to join hands with the BJP after the elections.

"And Mr Deve Gowda (JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda) has to be clear. He has to tell the people of Karnataka, is he on this side, or on that side."

The scion of the Gandhi family, who was attacked by PM Modi in Karnataka recently, said that his party's aim was to ensure that the RSS does not crush the voice of Karnataka. "Do not allow Karnataka or any other state for that matter to be controlled by the RSS," he said.

"Because that is what this election is all about. The election is about Nagpur and the RSS trying to control the voice of Karnataka. And ensure that those elements in the society are fought."

Both Rahul and PM Modi are in Karnataka currently to campaign for their respective parties.