What could change for the Congress in Karnataka post its Bajrang Dal remarks?

The Congress in Karnataka does have the advantage owing to the anti-incumbency factor, but recent incidents show that the party is treading dangerously as the election dates approach.

First came the 'snake' comment by Congress chief, Mallikarjun Kharge. This was backed up by the 'nalayak' comment made by Kharge's son Priyanka Kharge. The hot topic of discussion now is the manifesto by the Congress in which it has said that it would ban the Bajrang Dal, while equating it to the Popular Front of India, which was banned by the Centre in September 2022.

Photo Credit: Bajrang Dal workers burn copies of Karnataka Congress manifesto during a protest in Udupi. PTI Photo

While the Congress does realise that this a risky proposition, it is also aware that by doing so it was ensuring the consolidation of the Muslim votes. The Muslim community in Karnataka was undecided as the Congress had taken no strong stand on issues such as the CAA or hijab row.

There has been a clear shift in the stand by the Congress since the time its campaign began. At the start of the campaign, the party had said that it would not go into personal comments and stay away from the Hindutva plank. However as the elections near all that seems to have changed and the Congress wants to leave nothing to chance.

Political analysts that OneIndia spoke with said that the Congress has taken too much of a risk. The comments on the Bajrang Dal could risk its prospects in the coastal belt. Furthermore many fence-sitters may move towards the BJP following this decision on organisations such as a Bajrang Dal, the analyst also pointed out. This could also have an impact on seats such as Gangavathi and Kanakagiri, where Lord Hanuman is revered.

Another issue that is under discussion in Karnataka is Siddaramaiah's comments on Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai. He had said that there is already a Lingayat leader who is the most corrupt. The BJP however chose to turn this around and termed it as an insult to the Lingayat community.