Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s labelling of the party manifesto as that of the Muslim League, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the party’s program is for everyone. He offered to explain the manifesto to PM Modi if he gave time.
“Modi always says, the Congress manifesto is a Muslim League manifesto. If he gives me time, I will take our manifesto and explain it to him. Where do we say it’s only for Muslims? We are working for everyone,” Kharge said at an election rally in Kerala’s Wayanad, where Rahul Gandhi contests the Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier this month, addressing a poll rally in Rajasthan, PM Modi had criticised the Congress’s election manifesto, calling it “a bundle of lies” and likening its thinking to that of the Muslim League at the time of independence.
Responding to this, the Congress chief said, “Our manifesto is for the poor, farmers, youngsters, women, and everybody. He just wants to divide society. He wants to talk about Hindu-Muslim. Yuva Nyay is for all, Naari Shakthi is for all. It is not just for Muslims, SC, ST, OBC; it is for all.”
Kharge also called the PM “a 100 per cent liar,” alleging that Modi made various false promises, including depositing Rs 15 lakh in every Indian’s account and providing two crore jobs. “He is destroying all autonomous bodies, educational institutions, and he says he is still developing. He says he is bringing Ache Din, is this Ache Din?,” he asked.
During a poll rally in Rajasthan on Sunday, the Prime Minister continued his attack on Congress, saying that the party’s manifesto promises to redistribute people’s wealth to Muslims if it comes to power.
“He is dividing the community, he is dividing religion, he is dividing caste. Therefore, what Modi says is not important,” Kharge said.
The Congress had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against PM Modi for comparing the party’s manifesto with that of the Muslim League. A statement issued by the Congress quoted the party chief as saying that if the INDIA bloc comes to power at the Centre, it will constitute a ‘Diversity Commission’ that will measure, monitor, and promote diversity in public and private employment and education.
He also announced that when the INDIA bloc comes to power, a nationwide caste-based census would be conducted, clarifying that it is not to divide society but to assess people’s day-to-day lives.
