Shivamogga: KPCC chief BK Hariprasad on Saturday challenged BJP to declare Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, independent India’s first terrorist, saying the party should do so if it believed in patriotism and the freedom struggle.Speaking at engagements in Shivamogga with AICC leader Nasir Hussain, district minister Madhu Bangarappa and MLC Balkees Banu, Hariprasad accused BJP of attempting to erase Gandhi’s legacy.He criticised the historical positions of RSS and Hindu Mahasabha during the Non-Cooperation, Salt Satyagraha and Quit India movements, alleging that they had opposed the ideals of the freedom struggle while seeking to influence present political systems.Hariprasad also expressed concern over reports that eligible voters, particularly minorities, backward classes and Dalits, were being systematically excluded from electoral rolls. He said every eligible citizen must retain the fundamental right to vote and denounced attempts at disenfranchisement.Rejecting allegations of internal discord and sting operations within Congress , Hariprasad said the party had no “sleeper cells” and alleged that such tactics originated from the opposition.Responding to controversies involving former chief minister Siddaramaiah, he described the allegations as false, baseless and part of a deliberate blackmail strategy. He said Siddaramaiah had clarified the matter and welcomed a thorough investigation.Hariprasad said Congress did not operate sting cells and would take strict disciplinary action against anyone found involved in such activities. He said disciplinary committee chairman Rahman Khan had been asked to issue show-cause notices where applicable.He alleged that RSS pioneered political sting operations in the country, citing the case of Sanjay Joshi, and said Congress remained committed to internal discipline, Gandhian values, democratic rights and strengthening its grassroots organisation across Karnataka.
