‘Vote bank politics’: Row over ‘incorrect Indian map’ during Congress session

Belagavi: A controversy has erupted over the alleged misrepresentation of the India map on the posters displayed by the Congress to commemorate the centenary of 1924 Congress session in Karnataka’s Belagavi, with the BJP dubbing it as “vote bank” politics by the national party.

The ruling Congress has put up these posters throughout Belagavi town as part of celebrations for the centenary event. According to BJP and its ally JD(S) in Karnataka, the Indian map featured on the posters omits the Gilgit region of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir as well as the Aksai Chin region, currently under the Chinese administration, which are integral parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Reacting to the controversy, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who is also the Congress Karnataka unit president, said the posters would be removed if there is any mistake.

“Some leaders might have made some mistake, we are removing everything. Don’t try to pick a small stone in the curd... We have done according to Indian tradition and values of those days... BJP is there to attack us, they can’t digest. There is no medicine for jealousy. Let them do what they want...” he told reporters here.

The national unit of BJP strongly criticised the Congress. In a post on X it said: “RaGa’s Mohabbat ki Dukaan is always open for China! They would break the nation. They’ve done it once. They’ll do it again.”

The BJP Karnataka unit termed the “incorrect depiction” of the Indian map as a way to appease its “vote bank”.

“@INCKarnataka, has shown utter disrespect for India’s sovereignty by displaying a distorted map at their Belagavi event, portraying Kashmir as part of Pakistan. All this just to appease their vote bank. This is shameful!” the party posted on X.

BJP’s Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal demanded that the police

register a case.