Cong to steer clear of hijab row

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

The Congress Party has decided to play it safe without intervening in the hijab and saffron shawl row that has spread to almost all districts in the state in the last one week to avoid a backlash from any community. Instead, it has resolved to take on the BJP government headed by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on issues such as ‘40 per cent commission’, discrimination in release of funds to opposition legislators, controversial remarks made by Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister K.S.Eshwarappa over the hoisting of the saffron flag atop Red Fort in Delhi during the ongoing joint session of the Legislature that began on Monday.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held at a private hotel in Bengaluru Monday evening was chaired by Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah and attended by KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar, KPCC Working Presidents, Salim Ahmed, Ramalinga Reddy and other senior leaders.

Siddaramaiah is learnt to have explained in detail how legislators must tackle the ruling party on various issues and corner Eshwarappa for his ‘irresponsible’ statement on the Tricolor in both Houses of the Legislature. According to sources, Shivakumar is upset with a few legislators who have persisted with statements on the controversial (headscarf and saffron shawl) issue despite the gag orders issued last week.

No one is above the party and must adhere to directions from party leaders. It would be difficult for leaders to defend such statements. The ruling party would be waiting for such opportunities to attack the Congress Party. Since the High Court of Karnataka is seized of the matter, it is not correct on anyone’s part to make controversial statements and provide fodder to the ruling party, he reportedly told the legislators.

Sources told News Trail that most leaders feel they should not take the side of any community as other parties may instigate other communities to go against the Congress in the coming elections. It is better to wait for the court verdict without jumping the gun, they felt. Till then no one must give his/her opinion on controversial subjects as far as possible since the state would go to Assembly polls in the next 12-14 months.

Besides, elections to the Zilla Panchayat, taluk and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are likely to be held this year. Getting involved in controversies at this juncture may work against the party in the election and it would be better to go by what the party top brass advises, the leaders felt.

Congress leaders suspect that ruling BJP leaders may use the hijab issue to polarise votes in favour of their party. Already, the BJP, RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Sri Ram Sena and Bajrang Dal are ‘injecting venom’ in the minds of people. These organisations will definitely take advantage of the row using their workers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.