The Congress vowed to ban RSS shakhas from government buildings in Madhya Pradesh if it comes to power.
This is also stated in the election manifesto they released on Saturday, 10 November ahead of the state Assembly elections.
Furthermore, government officials won’t be allowed to participate in RSS activities, Congress said. They would be revoking the state’s BJP government’s order which currently allows government employees to attend RSS shakhas.
As per clause 47.62 on page 80 of the manifesto “RSS shakhas will be banned on government premises and order allowing government officers and employees to participate in such shakhas will be rescinded.”
Earlier during Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s regime, although RSS shakhas were held, government employees were not allowed to participate in these activities.
Explaining the reason behind this decision, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said:
“RSS is a political organisation. If Congress party in MP, in their manifesto, has said it will put an end to this practice, I see nothing wrong with that. Government servants, as long as they are working in the government, shouldn’t openly associate with a political party.”
Retorting to the Congress, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said:
“Looks like the Congress has only one motto these days, ‘Mandir nahi banne denge, Shakha nahi chalne denge.’ (Won’t allow temples to be built, won’t allow shakha activities.)”
The Congress’ 112-page long manifesto which is titled ‘Vachan Part’ also promised to disband Vyapam or the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board which has been at the centre of corruption cases and bribery.
The manifesto was released in the presence of state Congress President Kamal Nath, state campaign committee Chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh.
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