The Supreme Court will on Thursday hear the plea of Rashtriya Hindu Sena chief Pramod Muthalik against the Congress party, reported ANI. Muthalik alleged that the Congress’ manifesto for the May 12 Karnataka Assembly elections seeks votes on the basis of religion.
The petition said the Congress declared schemes for Muslims and other minority communities that it will implement if voted to power. In his plea, Muthalik asked the court to direct the Election Commission to ensure that the Congress deletes such an appeal. He said it violated the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the declaration made before the Election Commission.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi had released the party’s manifesto for Karnataka at a rally in Mangaluru district. He had said the manifesto contained the “Mann Ki Baat of people of Karnataka.”
In its manifesto, the party promised to allocate generously for welfare programmes to improve the social and economic status of minorities. It also promised to provide funds for the education of children of minority communities. Gandhi had quoted social reformer and philosopher Basavanna, saying, “When you say something, it must have some weight. It must mean something.” He added, “What we are going to say in this manifesto is going to be done.”
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