'Anti-Dalit' Congress humiliated Kharge, alleges BJP

Reacting to the BJP's allegations that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was kept outside while Congress candidate from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was filing her nominations in the presence of other party leaders, BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan on Thursday said that the outrageous manner in which Kharge was "thoroughly humiliated" was indeed shocking and "appalling".

"The outrageous manner in which Kharge was humiliated was indeed very shocking. It was appalling to see that such a senior Dalit leader was treated by the Congress Party with such utter disdain and disrespect," claimed Kesavan.

Hitting out at the Congress, the BJP leader said, "This again illustrates two things about the Congress. First, it has always been anti-Dalit. Second, it will never hesitate to sacrifice the interests of our SC, ST and OBC brothers and sisters at the altar of vote bank politics of minority religious appeasement."

Meanwhile, lashing out at the Congress, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Congress practiced untouchability.

"We have shown what is a Dalit's position in the Congress. Outside, Rahul Gandhi shows that the Congress party supports Dalits and gives them equal participation. But inside, they are insulted. What happened with Kharge on Wednesday, after that there is nothing left to tell people. Congress is exposed," he alleged.