Bengaluru: "Beef" and "Hindutva terrorism" may be the hot topics in poll-bound Karnataka these days. The Congress led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the BJP led by B S Yeddyurappa are at each other's throat over these issues.

But Congress president Rahul Gandhi seems to be worried over "beef" and "Hindutva terror" hijacking the polls. When top leaders of the state Congress – Siddaramaiah, KPCC president Dr. G Parameshwara, working president Dinesh Gundurao, Power minister D K Shivakumar and others met him to discuss election strategy at his house in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi cautioned them against raising "Hindutva terror" and "beef" related issues during the campaign.

According to a leader, who was also present in the meeting, the new president of the Congress told them that it was a BJP trap to divert the Congress from real poll issues and the ruling party should not fall into it. He apparently advised Siddaramaiah not to say anything about beef eating and "Hindutva terrorism". He has also assured them that he will visit all major religious places and he will also meet powerful seers during the campaign.

"Rahul Gandhi knows what is happening on the ground. He seems to have learnt a lot from the Gujarat Assembly election. He told us that BJP is good at diverting from the real issues and we should never fall into BJP’s trap. After his firm action against Mani Shankar Aiyar, we have realised that Rahul means business", another senior leader said.

During his just concluded state tour, Siddaramaiah had said that BJP and RSS had terror elements. He had also said that beef eating was a personal choice of the people. His statements had led to a huge furore.

Rahul Gandhi is touring Karnataka in two phases in February. The first phase is between February 10 and 12th and the second phase is between 21 and 23rd.