Hubballi: The reported pro-Maharashtra statements by Mahila Congress State President Laxmi Hebbalkar has exposed the real face of the Congress leaders over linguistic issues, said Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha (BJPYM) State President and MP Pratap Simha.

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Simha said the Congress leaders, particularly KPCC Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao and others had been leveling allegations of imposing Hindi against the BJP. Now, it is time they clear their stand over Hebbalkar’s reported statements, he said.

The BJP stands for national unity and expressed its commitment for the trilingual policy to foster national integration. But, the Congress was playing with the sentiments of the people over such issues for political mileage, he said.

Reacting on the possibility of Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai being given the Home Minister’s portfolio, Simha said it would be akin to handing over the keys of the treasury to a thief. He alleged that Rai was instrumental in instigating the communal violence in the coastal region to gain political mileage.

The BJPYM not only condemns such a move but demands dropping Rai from the Council of Ministers, he said.