Hariprasad claims Congress has ‘caught RSS by the neck’ in Nagpur, vows nationwide fight

Bengaluru, Oct 31 : Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B K Hariprasad on Saturday described the Congress victory in Nagpur as a significant political message against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP, asserting that the party would extend its fight against the organisation across the country.

Referring to Nagpur, which houses the RSS headquarters, Hariprasad said the election outcome had significance beyond the city and demonstrated Congress's resolve to challenge organisations spreading hatred.

"Nagpur means Havanapura in Kannada. We have caught by the neck an organisation that spreads the poison of hatred in the country. What began there will send a message that we will defeat them across the country," he told reporters.

His remarks came after Congress candidate Abhijit Wanjari retained the Nagpur Graduates' constituency by defeating BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale by 3,271 votes.

Hariprasad also rejected the BJP's claim that it had defeated the Congress in the overall MLC elections, pointing to electoral setbacks suffered by the BJP in several constituencies.

The KPCC chief sought to project the Nagpur victory as a broader political and ideological challenge to the RSS and BJP, asserting that the Congress would take the fight to the national level.

The remarks have added a fresh dimension to the political exchanges between the Congress and BJP following the MLC election results.