not-against-pm-modi-but-his-ideology-says-kharge

The response of people has changed towards the INDIA bloc over time which will change the expected outcome of the election, particularly, there's a big undercurrent in favour of the alliance which will be turbulence for the BJP from getting the majority numbers in Lok Sabha polls, says Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. 

 

The Congress chief further exuded confidence in BJP not forming the government this time. 

 

"After travelling across the country, we are getting the sense that there is a big undercurrent in our favour. The Congress party and coalition partners of the INDIA bloc will get more seats this time. We will be able to stop the BJP from getting the seats required for coming to power. I feel the BJP will not be able to form its government," he stated. 

 

People fighting for us

 

Kharge claimed that people are now against the ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party and are now fighting for them and against the ideology of the BJP and the RSS which spreads "hatred and division" in the society. 

 

The Congress chief said people feel the fight is now to save democracy and the Constitution and have extended support to the party.

 

"It is the public that is fighting for us and it is not just us. People are supporting the ideology that we follow and are fighting for us. The BJP will lag and we will move forward," he said. 

 

Asked from where they were getting the confidence, Kharge said the response of people towards them and how they have started supporting them and are fighting for their ideology is giving him such confidence. 

 

Terming this Lok Sabha election as crucial, he said the call to save the Consitution and democracy is for saving the fundamental rights and the freedom of speech and expression of all Indians.

 

Constitution emerging as a major poll issue 

 

With two narratives of reservation and the Constitution emerging as major poll issues this election, Kharge said it is not a question of which one is winning. 

 

"Who started saying that to change the Constitution, we need a two-thirds majority and want 400-paar. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has also talked about reservations. They cannot take away what is written in the Constitution, but not implement them. They want to change the Constitution because they want to appoint their own RSS people there, who are not even qualified. That is why we say that the BJP is not implementing what is written in the Constitution." 

 

"They do not even accept democracy, as they have toppled democratically-elected governments in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Goa. Where have they not done? They do not follow the democratic path and do not work as per the Constitution. That is why we call for saving the Constitution and democracy, as it will save everyone's fundamental rights," he noted. 

 

Kharge claimed the right to freedom of speech and expression is being curbed and saving the Constitution means saving the fundamental rights and freedom of speech and expression of all Indians.

 

"They are suppressing democracy and are opposing the Constitution, that is why this election is very significant - from children to the elderly and from print media to television and even social media users," he asserted.

 

Not against PM, but ideology 

 

The Congress president asserted that the party is not against any individual or PM Modi but only against the ideology he follows. 

 

"The message is for Modi ji's ideology. We are not against any individual or Modi ji, we are against the ideology he follows. Their ideology tries to create a division in society and keep Dalits, backward in status quo, all that will stop," he said.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is indulging in Hindu-Muslim rhetoric every day for which he should walk the talk and quit public life, said Kharge, alleging that PM Modi's intentions are not clean as he is giving daily "hate speeches" with Hindu-Muslim rhetoric during the poll campaign.

 

Noting that the PM talks about "taking away buffaloes" and "giving 15 percent budget to Muslims", Kharge said, "By saying such things, he is himself creating division in society". 

 

"On the other hand, he claims that he has no right to be in public life if he talks Hindu-Muslim. As you talk such things every day, you should quit public life," the Congress president said.

 

Kharge claimed that the prime minister was giving hate speeches to polarise society. 

 

"While he talks of taking everyone along, but to divide votes, he continues to give hate speeches. Did he ever condemn those who spoke against the Constitution or Muslims or on instances of crimes against women and urinating on tribals. Did he ever speak against them?". 

 

"He is spending crores on electioneering. His intentions are not clean as he gives Hindu-Muslim hate speeches to create division in society and spread hatred. That is why our leader Rahul Gandhi has said that he will set up 'Mohabbat ki dukaan'," he asserted. 

 

Congress setting up 'mohabbat ki dukaan' 

 

Asked if the time has come to end the politics of hate and vendetta, the Congress leader said in a democracy it is the BJP that is spreading hatred while we in the Congress are setting up 'Mohabbat ki dukaan' while being inclusive and taking everyone along.

 

"This is Modi ji's mistake, as he repeats such things. He wants to hold a one-man show. His thought is that only one leader can run everything, the entire country," the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said. On PM Modi accusing the Congress of resorting to appeasement politics, Kharge said helping the poor people in any community is not appeasement. 

 

"Stopping 'anyay' (injustice) on any community is not appeasement. They try to polarise during elections. They try to project anything we do as appeasement. I would only say that the BJP does appeasement politics. By giving the poor something, or giving scholarship to the poor, giving education through special schools for Muslims cannot be termed as appeasement," he noted.

 

The Congress president also said that with elections underway, opposition leaders are being threatened and harassed and put behind bars, not allowing them to even campaign. 

 

"There is no level playing field being maintained by the BJP, as opposition leaders are being threatened. These things are not good in a democracy and an authoritarian rule is being implemented," he claimed.