On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of orchestrating a clandestine campaign to dismantle the reservation system for marginalized communities. Gandhi, in a social media post, asserted that Modi’s electioneering slogan implies the elimination of both government jobs and reservations, thereby depriving Dalits, tribals, and backward classes of their constitutionally guaranteed rights. He further alleged that the BJP government is covertly undermining reservations through ‘blind privatization,’ resulting in the loss of approximately 6 lakh permanent public sector jobs, which would have otherwise benefited reserved categories. Gandhi emphasized Congress’s commitment to bolstering the public sector by filling 30 lakh vacant government positions.
Meanwhile, Modi, addressing a public rally in Gujarat’s Anand, counterattacked the Congress party, branding it as a ‘disciple’ of Pakistan. Modi drew parallels between the weakening of Congress in India and the perceived distress in Pakistan, suggesting a correlation between the two. He alleged that Pakistani leaders are ardently supporting the Congress and its ‘prince,’ referring to Rahul Gandhi. Modi challenged Congress to unequivocally commit in writing that it will not amend the Constitution to provide reservations based on religion.
Earlier on Wednesday, Congress had accused the BJP of using the slogan ‘400 paar’ in the Lok Sabha polls as a ruse to alter the Constitution and abolish reservations. The BJP has vehemently denied these allegations, pledging to safeguard the reservation system.
