Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the Assembly elections in Karnataka on Saturday will teach the Bharatiya Janata Party the lesson that it must mend its ways, PTI reported. He added that the elections will send a larger message: that the people will not accept the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government, which is supported by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

“They [the RSS and the BJP] are implementing their own agenda,” Kharge told PTI. “Particularly the weaker sections, minorities and poorer sections – they feel insecure under the BJP and RSS-supported government.”

Kharge accused the BJP of trying to weaken various institutions, including the judiciary. People would be happy if such a party is defeated in the elections, he said. “This will teach them a lesson to mend [ways], and to act according to the constitutional methods,” he said.

He said the Congress’ campaign in the Karnataka elections not only revolves around development, but is also an ideological fight against the RSS and the BJP. He added that if the BJP is not prevented from coming to power in Karnataka, the party will destroy democracy.

“They [the BJP] are talking about changing the Constitution and also using Hindutva ideology against the minorities. People don’t accept all these arguments,” he said.