Karnataka BJP claims credit for Triple Talaq decision; Congress guarded in response

BENGALURU: The SC decision against the triple talaq for Muslims has come as a shot in the arm for the BJP in election-bound Karnataka, as a counter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's aggressive wooing of the minorities over the past four years.

"Our stand on triple talaq paid us dividends in the Uttar Pradesh polls. All these days, we were seen as anti-minority and had no hope of getting votes from the Muslims.After this decision by the Supreme Court, which has boosted our stand for a common civil code, we feel we may be able to foray into and get some minority votes also," BJP state spokesperson S Suresh Kumar said.

The BJP state unit's political machinery went into full swing within hours of the apex court decision to claim credit and express support for it. MP Shobha Karandlaje, a state general secretary and close aide of the party's CM face, B S Yeddyurappa, said in a statement: "The Supreme Court has upheld the dignity of all 125 crore people of this country. Other than fundamentalistic Muslims, no member of civilised society can support this kind of a divorce. We have to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pass a law in Parliament to protect the rights of our Muslim mothers."

The Congress party has been guarded in its response.Siddaramaiah said in a statement released late evening: "The Supreme Court's judgement is a welcome one. It should be implemented taking into confidence the Muslim community, particularly the women." The was no official comment from KPCC president G Parameshwara.

One of the party's state unit spokespersons, Rizwan Arshad, told ET: "It is no doubt a progressive judgement, but it will not have any impact on Karnataka poll."