BJP spreading "poison of hatred" : Congress

Accusing the BJP of spreading "poison of hatred" despite a crushing defeat in the Bihar polls, Congress today attacked it for "distorting" history and the violence during the birth anniversary celebrations of Tipu Sultan in Karnataka.
Using the Hindi phrase "ulta chor kotwal ko dante" (pot calling the kettle black) to dismiss BJP's demand for the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress Chief Spokesman Randeep Surjewala alleged "BJP is spreading hatred across the country".
"Rather than learn from the crushing defeat in Bihar, BJP has become more arrogant and is more obsessed with its agenda of spreading the poison of hatred," he said.

The Congress leader also accused the BJP of distorting facts. The Congress leader claimed the there was no procession at Coorg in Karnataka and the birth anniversary celebration of Tipu Sultan was being held indoors.
Surjewala alleged VHP workers tried to obstruct the celebrations and the police had to resort to a lathi charge.
In the melee, a local VHP leader Kuttappa had fallen into a drain and injured his head, leading to his death, he said.

"He died because of that injury," Surjewala said, adding while people were returning from the anniversary celebrations, somebody opened fire leading to another death.

Surjewala demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit shah put an end to the attempt to "spread communal hatred".
Demanding that Modi and Shah abandon their "divisive" agenda, he said instead of seeking ouster of the Karnataka Chief Minister BJP should have sought resignation of its chief and VHP leader Ashok Singhal.
"This is our request to Amit Shah and Narendra Modi," he said, adding if Home Minister Rajnath Singh is bound by the Constitution, he should take action against organisations linked to BJP which are "spreading poison in the name of caste and religion".
Talking about Tipu Sultan, Surjewala alleged BJP has been "distorting history for years".

"Does BJP know that Tipu Sultan made temple town of Srirangapatna his capital, gave annual grants to 156 temples, founded a church in Mysore and fought against the British till his death," he said, adding the 18th century Mysore ruler was the first to introduce rockets.
The Congress leader said the kings and kingdoms of past are part of history and their actions can be a mixture of good and bad.
"Does the BJP know that he confiscated the property of 'Mutts' and gave it to dalits and poor?" he asked.