MANGALURU: Celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan and subsequent communal tension in the coastal region has upset local Congress leaders who fear that these incidents could dent the party’s prospects in forthcoming zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections.
Though the celebrations were meant to help the Congress, the party’s key opponents- Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Bharatiya Janata Party are trying to reap most benefits out of the controversial move. Congress leaders who agree that such celebrations were unnecessary acknowledge that the BJP and SDPI have already started a campaign to make the most of this controversy.
"There are many freedom fighters in our state. Can we celebrate the birth anniversary of every hero?” queried a senior Congress leader and former zilla panchayat member.
He said “Tipu jayanti was declared and celebrated without proper planning and homework. In coastal districts, the Congress is at the receiving end. Though it was Congress which took up Tipu Sultan birth anniversary celebrations and gave much publicity, in coastal region SDPI has hijacked Tipu Sultan and is using as a vote bank,” a former office bearer of the party said, adding “Tipu was a devout Muslim, but SDPI is trying to give Tipu a communal face to attract and unite Muslim votes. Once Muslim voters turn against us, we will suffer in the elections. On the other hand, the BJP through its saffron outfits is trying to unite Hindus against Congress by portraying Tipu Sultan as a communal leader.”
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