New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of openly advocating Karnataka’s secession from India, the Bharatiya Janata Party has written to the Election Commission of India demanding immediate concrete action against the Congress and its former president Sonia Gandhi. Gandhi for his “sovereignty” comment at the election rally.
A tweet by the Congress on May 6, quoting Sonia Gandhi saying that “Congress will not allow anyone to threaten the reputation, sovereignty or integrity of Karnataka,” drew sharp attacks from the BJP and the Prime Minister.

“Such a tweet is an evil act to incite the staunch nationalists, peace loving, progressive and universally recognized people of Karnataka. Its aim is to disrupt the prevailing equality, harmony and peace in Karnataka for the sake of votes. Backed by some select communities or groups, its sole purpose and aim is to disrupt the existence of the Indian state.” BJP said in a letter to the Election Commission.

It added that the “general and growing impression” of the old party was of a party that had always sided with forces hostile to and opposed to the Indian state.

Calling Mrs Gandhi’s comment “unfortunate and inappropriate”, the BJP said it “remotely suggests secession for the people of Karnataka who have been at the forefront of India’s freedom movement and in post-independence fields of art, culture, education, industry & commerce”, tantamount to insulting and humiliating them.

“Karnataka is the most important member state of the Union of India and any call to protect the sovereignty of the member state of the Union of India is tantamount to a call for secession and is fraught with dangerous and harmful consequences,” the BJP letter said. Withholding the generally accepted essentials of a sovereign state.