"Congress party is secular; we appeal for votes on basis of issues": Mallikarjun Kharge rules out allegation of 'vote-jihad'

Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], November 17 (ANI): With the Maharashtra election campaign entering the final stage, the two opposing alliances have sparred on the issue of alleged 'vote-jihad' first raised by Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. On Sunday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge responded to the jibes and said that their party is secular and it appeals for votes on the basis of ideology, issues, and the Constitution.
"We believe in what has been written in the constitution, from 18 years old to life, everyone has the right to vote under Universal Adult Franchise. Our party is secular and we don't 'bawaal' and do 'ill-campaigning' like them. We appeal for votes on the basis of ideology, issues, and according to the Constitution," Kharge told ANI.
After the Election Commission of India sought responses from BJP and Congress chiefs over alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the Congress President said that the reply by the party and will be sent by November 18.
"The notice is welcome. The reply has to be given by the 18th, which will be given. The reply is being prepared and will be sent..." he said.
Earlier, NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar addressed a press conference ahead of the Maharashtra elections where he attacked the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he along with his associates were trying to create religious discord by using the word of 'Vote Jihad'.
Addressing the media, Pawar said "Devendra Fadnavis and his associates are trying to create religious discord by using the word Vote Jihad. Farmers are committing suicide, prices of soybean and cotton are continuously falling, farmers are angry. Educational institutions are increasing, youth are getting educated but they do not have jobs. There are so many other such questions in Maharashtra."
On Friday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West Assembly seat, Devendra Fadnavis accused the opposition of doing "vote jihad" and urged voters to counter it with a "dharmyuddh" of votes.
"Vote jihad is going on in the state. Sajjad Nomani says...Vote jihad slogan has been given and you heard in the video that who is the leader of this vote jihad. I want to tell you all that if they do vote jihad, we have to do 'dharmyuddh' of vote. Ek hain to safe hain," he said.
He also accused some opposition parties of trying to polarise the elections to gain votes. "We are not against any religion. We have given our scheme to all. But some parties are trying to polarise the election for votes," he said.
The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with votes for all 288 constituencies to be counted on November 23. (ANI)