The Congress party’s general secretary, Jairam Ramesh, held a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi to address the allegations made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ramesh denounced the Prime Minister’s remarks as ‘based on lies’ and propaganda, accusing him of attempting to divert the agenda and avoid discussing the pressing issues of unemployment and price increases.
Ramesh asserted that the Congress will not engage in the divisive tactics employed by the BJP and will instead focus on the issues that matter to the electorate. He pointed to the trends in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, claiming that the BJP has suffered setbacks in several states.
The Congress leader clarified that the party’s Nyay Patra, which outlines their election manifesto, does not mention wealth redistribution. He emphasized that the manifesto is based on feedback gathered during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, highlighting the concerns of unemployment, inflation, and economic inequality.
Ramesh highlighted the party’s commitment to fighting for marginalized groups through their focus on Nari Nyay (women’s rights), Yuva Nyay (youth justice), Kisaan Nyay (farmers’ justice), Shramik Nyay (workers’ justice), and Hissedari Nyay (shareholding justice).
He criticized Prime Minister Modi for abandoning his earlier slogans of ‘400 paar’ (winning 400 seats) and ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ (Modi’s guarantee) and resorting to polarizing language to distract the public. Ramesh alleged that Modi is using the strategy of polarization to deflect attention from the failures of his government, particularly the rise of 21 billionaires who possess wealth equivalent to 70% of the population.
The Congress leader challenged the Prime Minister to identify any mention of wealth redistribution in the party’s manifesto and reiterated their belief in inclusive economic development. Ramesh also demanded clarity from Modi on the issue of a caste census.
