In comments that could fuel a political controversy, Congress today drew the imagery of blood-sucking vampire Dracula to run down BJP's manifesto's promises for minorities.
Slamming BJP for their "duplicity and double-speak" on the issue of minority welfare, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said "they have shed crocodile tears in the manifefsto about Madrasa modernisation – education of minorities.
"In a lighter vein, I would like to say that when BJP talks of minority welfare, it sounds like Dracula taking over as the head of the blood bank."
Congress President Sonia Gandhi's "Maut Ka Saudagar" (merchant of death) barb against Narendra Modi had in the previous assembly elections in Gujarat had led to a major political controversy. The then party spokesperson Rashid Alvi's "Yamraj" suggestion for Modi a few years back had also kicked up a political storm.
BJP in its election promise to the minorities said it will ensure "secure" environment for them and provide discrimination-free opportunities, including in education and jobs, while alleging UPA government has deprived them of these. The document also vowed to modernise madrasa education under a new national programme and empower the Waqf Boards in consultation with religious leaders.
Dismissing BJP's promises, Singhvi said that on the contrary, the central government funds released under the Sachar Committee progamme for minority welfare were "stopped" by BJP government in Gujarat. He said when the matter went to the High Court for validity challenge, the Gujarat High Court had upheld the government of India's fund release to give scholarship to minority students but even then the state governmnet did not release the money and instead went to the Supreme Court.
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