'EG-MP-KARNATAKA-POLL-RAHUL-MODI-LOPCongress’ win in Karnataka is Rahul Gandhi’s victory, Modi’s defeat: MP Leader of Opposition

The Congress emphatic win in Karnataka elections is Rahul Gandhis victory and Prime Minister Narendra Modis defeat, said Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Govind Singh on Monday and called BJPs ideological mentor RSS a rumour spreading society.In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, the Congress won 135 seats, while incumbent BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal Secular got 66 and 19, respectively.The election in Karnataka was Modi versus Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress’ emphatic win in Karnataka elections is Rahul Gandhi’s victory and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s defeat, said Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Govind Singh on Monday and called BJP's ideological mentor RSS a ''rumour spreading society''.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, the Congress won 135 seats, while incumbent BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) got 66 and 19, respectively.

“The election in Karnataka was Modi versus Rahul Gandhi. It is the win of Rahul Gandhi and party workers. It is Modi’s defeat,” said Singh, a seven-term MLA from Lahar in Bhind district. He attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to his ‘Jai Bajrangbali’ chant during campaigning in Karnataka. “The people of the country have realised (now). Despite holding the esteemed position of the prime minister, Narendra Modi says 'Jai Hanuman'. He should be ashamed,'' he said.

During the campaign, Modi had hit out at the Congress for promising a ban on the right-wing outfit Bajrang Dal and equated the ban with “locking up” Bajrangbali. He also chanted ‘Jai Bajrangbali’ (Hail Hanuman) in a few speeches.

Asked about factionalism in the state Congress unit, Singh said, “There is no groupism. It is the conspiracy of the BJP. There is an RSS in BJP. Its name is Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. I have been saying for a long time that it is not Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, it is Rashtriya Sharyatrakari Sanghatan. And RSS is a Rumor Spreading Society,” he said.

In his early days, Singh was associated with the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha of socialist icon Ram Manohar Lohia. He won his first Assembly election in 1990 on a Janta Dal ticket before joining the Congress in 1993, his acquaintances said. Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh are due by the year-end.