BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of giving 'secular certificate' to 'communal politics' of IUML, Jamaat-e-Islami

Wayanad: A day after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, BJP Friday hit out at the Congress Chief, accusing him of giving a "secular certificate" to "communal and divisive politics" of outfits like Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Apparently referring to the presence of workers of IUML with its green flags in Gandhi's roadshow in Kalpetta, senior BJP leader and union minister Muqtar Abbas Naqvi said "Muslim League Ka Jhanda" (flag of Muslim League), "Congress Ka Agenda" (agenda of Congress) has been exposed once again.

After filing his nomination at the Collectorate, Gandhi, along with his sister and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and senior leaders of the Congress led UDF in Kerala had undertaken a roadshow to greet voters.

IUML, a key ally of the UDF, is a major political force in Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, a Congress stronghold.

Addressing an electionmeeting at Mukkam in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, Naqvi said Gandhi had landed in Wayanad to give a "secular certificate" to "communal and divisive politics" of IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Thushar Vellappally, president of Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, is the NDA candidate from Wayanad.

The BJP leader alleged that Congress is a 'history sheeter criminal' for 'communal polarisation'.

"The Congress is a traditional skilled exploiter of votes on a communal basis, using the cover of pseudo secularism.Divide and rule policy has been the identity of the grand old party", he said.

Naqvi alleged that Congress,under Gandhi's leadership, was carrying forward its policy of legitimising the 'communal politics' of the Muslim League.

Lashing out at the Congress, Naqvi said that earlier the party granted recognition to IUML's 'communal politics' by inducting them in the Congress-led UPA government in 2004 for the first time after Independence.

Gandhi reached Wayanad to carry forward that same 'communal and divisive agenda' of the Congress, he alleged.

IUML representative from Kerala, E Ahamed, was a junior Minister in UPA 1 and UPA 2.

Naqvi said the 'journey of Congress president Shri Rahul Gandhi from Amethi to Wayanad' exposes the character of the Congress, which carries the 'veil of secularism' and the 'bag of communalism'.

He said the people of the country would not allow the Congress to 'hijack' the votes on a communal basis in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Naqvi said Congress has always compromised with national security for votes.

The Congress' manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections proved this, he said, dubbing it a 'Shapath Patra to bring separatists closer and adopt soft policy against terrorists'.

This is dangerous for the country, he said.

Naqvi alleged that the Congress manifesto encourages anti-national elements.

The manifesto, which promises to weaken AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) and scrap the sedition law, exposes the Congress' 'irresponsible approach' towards national security.

Naqvi also alleged that the Congress president had earlier also supported those elements who want to divide the country.

"First, the Congress raised questions on surgical strikes and now it has questioned the air strikes.

This reflects Congress' cheap politics' on sensitive issues of national security. The people of the country will teach a lesson to the Congress for this sin," he said.