PM Modi's campaign in Karnataka should be banned, says Rajasthan CM

Digital Desk: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot demanded on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be barred from campaigning in Karnataka because of his recent Bajrang Bali remarks.

The incident raised after PM Narendra Modi attacked the Congress in a poll rally for vowing to ban the Bajrang Dal in its Karnataka election agenda. He had referred to it as the party's attempt to imprison individuals who chanted 'Jai Bajrang Bali' (Hail Lord Hanuman).

During a news conference in Jaipur, Gehlot chastised Prime Minister Modi for "attempting to polarise voters through religious statements."

Gehlot also criticised the alleged conspiracy to assassinate Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and his family. Congress Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said on Twitter, sharing an audio tape, that the BJP's candidate from Chittapur constituency in Kalaburagi, Manikanta Rathod, had an assassination plan against Kharge and his family.

"Manikant's remark about Kharge is reprehensible. It demonstrates that he is unafraid of any repercussions. No one [from the government] has commented on Kharge's statement. "Not even a FIR was filed," Rajasthan Chief Minister remarked.

In response to PM Modi's recent remarks about the internal squabble inside the Rajasthan Congress, Gehlot accused him of snubbing him at every opportunity.

"When he was on a programme, he said there was political upheaval in the party, but I was on the programme anyway." "He was playing politics," stated the senior Congress leader.

Karnataka will vote on May 10, while Rajasthan will vote later this year.