Hubballi incidents rebranded as ‘love jihad’ to polarise voters: Cong leader

Hubballi: Congress functionary Rajat Ullagaddimath Sunday strongly condemned recent incidents in Hubballi, alleging that personal disputes were being deliberately rebranded as ‘love jihad' to incite communal tension and polarise voters.In a press release, Ullagaddimath said it was evident these were not isolated criminal cases but part of a coordinated "tool kit" used by the BJP to disturb the city's long-standing peace and harmony.He alleged that the incidents were being manufactured to influence the upcoming byelections in Bagalkot and Davanagere. By creating a climate of fear and division in Hubballi, certain political elements hoped to reap electoral gains in neighbouring constituencies, he said."We hold BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakai and Pramod Muthalik responsible for fuelling these flames. We urge the citizens of Hubballi not to fall prey to these provocative tactics. Hubballi has always been a symbol of brotherhood, and we must not allow the political ambitions of a few to destroy our social fabric."We call upon the district administration and the police commissioner to take stringent action against those who are taking the law into their own hands and those political leaders who are instigating mobs. The peace of Hubballi cannot be sacrificed for the sake of an election tool kit," Ullagaddimath added.