Bhopal, November 13: In a politically controversial remark ahead of the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections 2018, a Congress MLA likened the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to a terror outfit. Congress legislator Sundar Lal Tiwari said the RSS was involved in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi and spreads religious hatred across the country.

"RSS is the organization that killed Mahatma Gandhi. They’re creating an environment of hatred in the country on religious lines. They never hoisted the Indian flag at their shakhas. They are the symbol of terrorism," Tiwari, who represents Gurh assembly seat, is seen saying in a viral video. MP Polls: Deputy Advocate General's 'pro RSS' Video Irks Cong.

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been in a verbal spat since the opposition party promised to ban RSS shakhas on government premises in its manifesto. While state Congress chief Kamal Nath accused the BJP of “distorting” the RSS reference in his party’s manifesto to divert public attention, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hit back, claiming that the opposition party was “nursing an ego”.

The Congress manifesto, released Saturday, under a head titled “Administrative Reforms”, reads, “The holding of RSS shakhas on government premises would be banned and the order regarding the relaxation given to public servants to attend those will be revoked.”

According to a PTI report, the Congress government had banned RSS activities on government premises in Madhya Pradesh in 1981. The ban was revived in 2000 by then chief minister Digvijay Singh under the Civil Services Conduct Rule. The ban continued under BJP chief ministers Uma Bharti and Babulal Gaur, before incumbent Chief Minister Chouhan lifted it in September 2006, describing the RSS as a “socio-cultural organisation and not a political outfit”.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 13, 2018 02:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).