Guwahati, 09 November (H.S): The Assam unit of the BJP on Monday accused the Congress of attempting to polarise voters along communal lines ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alleging that the party was using sensitive religious issues for electoral gains.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, BJP spokesperson Ranjib Kumar Sharma criticised Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over her recent interview with British newspaper 'The Guardian', in which she reportedly recalled being deeply distressed after watching the demolition of the Babri Masjid in the 1990s.

Sharma alleged that raising the Ram Janmabhoomi issue again, despite its legal resolution, was part of a calculated political strategy aimed at influencing voters ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled for March 2027.

He also referred to former Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid's remarks during an election rally in Azamgarh on February 9, 2012, claiming that Sonia Gandhi had broken down after hearing about the 2008 Batla House encounter in Delhi.

The BJP spokesperson alleged that the Congress had repeatedly invoked emotionally sensitive incidents during election campaigns to consolidate its vote bank.

Sharma also criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his reported remarks linking Diwali with Eid, alleging that the party was attempting to give a communal colour to religious and cultural celebrations.

Questioning Sonia Gandhi's alleged selective expressions of grief, Sharma cited several tragic incidents, including the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Kashmir Pandit killings, the Bhopal gas tragedy, serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, Delhi and Guwahati, and the deaths of 855 people during the Assam Agitation.

He alleged that the Congress leadership had remained silent on these tragedies while selectively raising other incidents for political purposes.

Sharma further referred to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's December 9, 2006, statement on minorities' claims over national resources, alleging that the Congress leadership had pursued appeasement politics for electoral benefits.

The BJP spokesperson maintained that the Congress was attempting to revive religious controversies and deepen social divisions instead of focusing on development and governance.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash