In a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Modi, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that despite not fulfilling any of his electoral promises, the Prime Minister claims to have accomplished a lot for the country. Addressing a press conference, Kharge emphasized that while the BJP never fought for India’s independence, the Congress is the party that spearheaded the nation’s freedom struggle.
Kharge criticized PM Modi for failing to deliver on his electoral commitments, highlighting the contrast between the BJP’s rhetoric on patriotism and their historical contributions compared to those of Congress stalwarts like Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Lal Bahadur Shastri. He condemned the portrayal of India’s independence as occurring only after 2014, suggesting it diminishes the sacrifices made by freedom fighters.
Expressing dismay over former Congress leaders defecting to the BJP and subsequently criticizing their former party, Kharge questioned their loyalty after spending decades within the Congress ranks. He underscored the significance of the upcoming 2024 elections, framing them as vital for safeguarding democracy and the Constitution.
Kharge criticized the Modi government’s handling of various issues, including inflation, unemployment, and unfulfilled promises such as job creation and doubling farmers’ income. He accused the government of neglecting development and imposing burdensome policies like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on farmers and consumers.
Regarding the absence of Muslim candidates from the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections by the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, Kharge attributed it to collective decision-making among alliance partners and assured compensation in other electoral arenas.
Lastly, Kharge condemned PM Modi’s reaction to the Supreme Court’s rejection of requests for 100% Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) verification, labeling it as a typical behavior of the Prime Minister. He clarified that the plea was initiated by an advocate, not the Congress party, and involved lawyers and NGOs.