Cong corners PM Modi, accuses BJP of disrupting communal harmony

Launching a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mixing religion and politics during his election rallies in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress Party on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to disrupt communal harmony in the country.

Congress leader P.C. Chacko told ANI that Prime Minister Modi is not asking for vote but actually expanding his party wherever he goes, adding this is risking the communal harmony in the country.

He also accused the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) of playing the religion card.

"We have seen in the past that Bahujan Samaj Party always spoke on 'Ram Janmabhoomi' and 'Ayodhya'. These names are taken only during elections. Of late, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is doing the same. This can hamper the social harmony of the state," said Chacko.

In Uttar Pradesh, voting is in underway for the fifth phase in 51 constituencies spread over in 12 districts of Awadh and eastern regions of the state.

Meanwhile, the Congress leader also expressed his concern over the latest developments in Delhi University's Ramjas College.

"Youth are free in mind and expressing opinion that is what we are seeing in Delhi colleges where the students are also using armed weapons freely," said Chacko.

A clash had broken out between the All India Students Association (AISA) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on February 21 after the members of the latter staged a protest outside Ramjas College against an event that had Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid as a speaker.