Delhi Assembly Polls: Congress accuses BJP of perpetrating 'crass & naked communalism'

Congress on Thursday accused BJP of "polarising" Delhi assembly polls and said firing incident at Jamia Milia Islamia is live manifestation of "spectre of hate and terror perpetrated by NDA government" at Centre. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said hate that assassinated Mahatma Gandhi is today mutilating soul and ecomy of India.

" manner in which an unkwn person opened fire at Jamia Millia Islamia University is a result of this hatred, atmosphere that's been created in this country in last one month," he told reporters. "It is unfortunate that hatred that killed Far of Nation- Mahatma Gandhi, is w prevalent in power corridors of India," Tewari said.

senior Congress leer said what happened in Jamia Millia Islamia University a couple of hours ago, is "a live manifestation of this spectre of hate and terror which has been perpetrated across this country by NDA-BJP government, especially since end of winter session of Parliament". Tewari said by looking at kind of statements emanating out of BJP leership during its campaign for Delhi assembly elections, it seems that y have even dropped pretense of any civility.

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" way campaigning for Delhi Assembly is happening and statements coming from BJP, y are fuelling this atmosphere of hatred. In a concerted way, responsible people are trying to polarise this country, especially Delhi," he said. "Such crass and naked communalism being perpetrated from top most echelons of BJP and this government cant but be most eloquent testimony to manner in which y seek to reduce social and political discourse in this country to basest level," he said. Congress spokesperson hoped that a proper investigation would be conducted into incident.

"w is this a calibrated plan to polarise entire country because ecomy is in deep trouble and this government does t have a clue as to what it really needs to do with direction of this nation or is it only specifically aimed at Delhi Assembly polls," he said. "I think jury will remain out in that for a couple of days but fact remains that if somebody can actually in bro daylight with hundreds of people watching pull out a gun and with impunity try and go around shooting people, it is a reflection of an atmosphere which has been deliberately vitiated and body except current NDA-BJP government is responsible for it," he said.

Asked about Election Commission banning Union Minister Anurag Thakur and BJP MP Parvesh Verma for ir controversial remarks, Tewari said poll panel acted in accordance with whatever it thought was best course of action but, he ded, this was "t co-incidental" as ministers in Union government were opting "stridency". " fact is that y have shed all vestige of even any civility in terms of attempt to completely and absolutely communalize Delhi elections. question which people in Delhi need to ask mselves is that are y going to be misled by this very crass and completely vitiated campaign which tries to appeal to most wild and basic instincts of a person or would y actually want a more forward looking, progressive, future oriented discourse to take place in this country," Congress leer asked.

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"Thakur and Verma are only symptoms of problem," he said. Tewari said it is only Congress which is progressive.
 " AAP is one big balloon which unfortunately has mand to try and convince people that y have done something for Delhi which y have t because if you look at it, city on every benchmark has actually deteriorated over past five years," he alleged. Tewari said Congress was a tried-and-tested option and given a chance to serve people of Delhi for 15 years.  "If people of Delhi do give Congress party a chance again, I think Congress Party would be able to do justice to kind of development and governance that Delhi requires," he said.

Jamia violence

On Thursday, a gun-toting man identifying himself as Gopal was arrested and charged with 'attempt to murder' by Delhi police outside Jamia Millia Islamia university in national capital after he injured a student when he opened fire on protestors. Shab, a Mass Communications student of Jamia suffered an injury in his left hand and was mitted to Holy Family hospital. As per sources, attacker shouted, "who wants Azi, come I'll shoot you” and reafter, opened fire. Moreover, case has been transferred to Delhi Police Crime Branch.

Incidentally, attack came three days after Finance Minister (MoS) Anurag Thakur was seen chanting inflammatory slogans in a BJP election rally in Delhi on January 28. video shows Union Minister shouting 'Desh ke gdaron ko, goli maron salon ko' (Shoot all traitors of country) while campaigning for BJP candidate for Rithala Assembly constituency - Manish Chaudhari.  

Delhi will go to polls in a single-phase on February 8 and counting of votes will take place on February 11. last day of filing minations for candidates is on January 21 and last day to withdraw minations is January 24. BJP and Congress are yet to name ir Chief Ministerial faces. ruling AAP is contesting election with Kejriwal leing m. 

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