Congress opposes communal organisations' agenda: Kodichal

'Party does not condemn the lathi charge on PFI activists'

Ibrahim Kodichal, DCC in-charge president, said that the Congress opposes any communal organisation engaged in creating rift in the society, but will condemn the alleged police atrocity on murder suspect Ahmed Qureshi.

He said on Tuesday, “Qureshi’s family has been claiming that he is suffering from kidney ailment after the police ‘tortured’ him. To unveil the truth on the alleged atrocity, the home minister has promised to appoint an investigation officer.”

He added, “Congress does not condemn the lathi charge on PFI activists who demanded action for the alleged torture of Qureshi. The PFI did not take permission to hold protest or inform ministers B Ramanath Rai and U T Khader and MLA Mohiuddin Bava of the alleged torture.”

Condemning the racist remark of BJP MP Tarun Vijay, Kodichal said that the statement of the MP is against the aspiration of the Constitution. Vijay, during a news debate, had said that Indians cannot be racist as they live with South Indians, who he also said are black people.

The statements by the elected representatives on religious and food habits need to be condemned by all. He welcomed the move of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to hike the monthly honorarium of anganwadi workers and helpers by Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 respectively.

“Including the hike announced in the 2017-18 budget, the monthly honorarium of an anganwadi worker now stands at Rs 8,000 while the helper gets Rs 4,000. The worker-cum-helper at mini anganwadis will take home Rs 5,250 a month,” he said, adding, “The BJP, during its five-year tenure, had hiked the honorarium by only Rs 750.”

To a query on senior Congress leaders joining the BJP, Kodichal said it was good that they left the party. “Critics of the party were those who had enjoyed the power all these years,” said the president.