BJP complains to poll officer against HDK, Rahman Khan

The State BJP, on Monday, filed a complaint against Minister for Union Minority Affairs K Rahman Khan and JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy before the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer  (OCEO) for allegedly using religion for political gains.

The complaint was filed on behalf of the BJP by party media incharge S Prakash. Earlier in the day, briefing reporters, BJP State joint spokesperson Ashwathanarayana alleged that Khan’s recent statement that his ministry had written to the home ministry seeking setting up of special courts for Muslim youths accused of various offences including terror-related charges amounted to dividing the country on communal lines.

Besides, the statement was made at a time when the model code of conduct was in place in the State, he said. “The BJP will not allow such communal policies to be implemented at any cost. Such divisional tendencies should be nipped in the bud”, he said.

Ashwathanarayana accused Kumaraswamy of luring voters in the name and guise of religion.

He said Kumaraswamy on Sunday stated that he would release the JD(S) list of candidates for the Assembly polls after visiting the dargah at Ajmer. Such statements resulted in violation of poll code, he said.

JD(S) criticises

The JD(S) has criticised the BJP’s move to file a complaint with the OCEO objecting to Kumaraswamy’s plans to visit Ajmer dargah, saying that it shows the “bankruptcy” of the ruling party.

The BJP launched its election campaign after offering a special pooja at the Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore recently. But, it has criticised Kumaraswamy’s plan to visit dargah.

To offer prayers at a temple or dargah is the personal right of every individual. The BJP is trying to politicise the issue,  JD(S) spokesperson Ramesh Babu said.

Kumaraswamy, along with Chamarajpet MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan, is scheduled to offer special prayers at the dargah in Rajasthan on Tuesday.