Nitin Gadkari Critiques Congress for Past Constitutional Amendments Amid BJP Allegations

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari criticised the Congress for its past constitutional amendments, accusing it of hypocrisy. He spoke at several campaign rallies in Wardha district, Vidarbha, ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20. Gadkari claimed the Congress now falsely accuses the BJP of intending to alter the Constitution if it secures 400 Lok Sabha seats.

Gadkari emphasised that the Supreme Court's ruling in the Kesavananda Bharti case prevents changes to the Constitution's core features. He pointed out that during Indira Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister, the Congress made several amendments. "They changed the Constitution, and they blame us. The Janata Party rectified it," he stated.

Focus on Rural Development

At a rally in Arvi assembly constituency, Gadkari criticised Congress for neglecting rural India. He argued that if Congress had prioritised rural areas, issues like farmer suicides and village poverty would have been mitigated. Gadkari praised BJP workers for their dedication, stating that the party is not centred around leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi or himself.

Gadkari reminisced about his early days as a party worker in Wardha district, travelling on a scooter with two others. He highlighted that in India's 75-year history, Congress never prioritised rural development. According to him, villages lacked essential infrastructure like roads and drinking water due to Congress's negligence.

Reservations and Political Integrity

The former BJP chief expressed support for reservations but opposed using religion and caste for political gain. He stressed that reservations should aid those who are socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged to improve their capabilities. Gadkari lamented the decline in political standards and urged for integrity.

In Wardha assembly constituency, Gadkari claimed his ministry invested approximately Rs 20,000 crore in various projects over the last decade. He highlighted this investment as evidence of BJP's commitment to development in Vidarbha or eastern Maharashtra, which elects 62 of Maharashtra's 288 MLAs.

Gadkari concluded by criticising Congress's unfulfilled promise to eradicate poverty. He argued that despite their slogans, poverty persisted under their governance. His remarks aimed to highlight BJP's focus on worker dedication and rural development as key differences from Congress's approach.