'Mandir-Masjid-Muslim' 421 Times, But Not Once Spoke On Unemployment: Kharge Slams PM Modi

As the Lok Sabha election campaign draws to a close, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the ruling BJP of attempting to mislead the public through divisive rhetoric centered on religious issues. Kharge alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned 'mandir-masjid-Muslim' 421 times, contrasting this with the Opposition alliance INDIA's focus on essential public concerns.

Kharge expressed strong confidence in the Opposition's ability to cross the majority mark and form a new government, asserting that the electorate had supported INDIA bloc's view that democracy would be at risk if BJP were granted another term. He emphasised that INDIA alliance would provide an inclusive, nationalistic, and developmental government.

Criticising Modi and BJP leaders for trying to divert attention from pressing issues like inflation, unemployment, and economic disparity, Kharge pointed out that in PM's speeches, he frequently lambasted Congress and the Opposition parties, but failed to address unemployment even once. This, Kharge said, indicated a lack of genuine concern for the problems faced by the people.

Kharge also highlighted that the Election Commission had directed against campaigning based on caste or communal lines. Despite this, he claimed that PM Modi repeatedly invoked religious and divisive topics to create communal rifts, mentioning 'mandir, masjid, Muslim' and related terms 421 times, and 'Muslim, Pakistan, minorities' 224 times. He also noted instances where Modi compared himself to a deity.

Addressing speculation about his own potential candidacy for PM, Kharge stated that he had not demanded any position based on his Dalit identity and that the decision regarding the Prime Ministerial candidate would be made collectively within the Opposition alliance.

Kharge interpreted Modi's extensive campaign efforts, holding a record 206 rallies, as an indication that BJP was uncertain about gaining majority. Kharge added that Modi's remarks about a political storm on June 4 shows his apprehension about the election outcome.

The Congress president concluded by ridiculing Modi's comment that he only learned about Mahatma Gandhi through Richard Attenborough's film "Gandhi". Kharge suggested that the PM should read Gandhi's autobiography, "My Experiments with Truth," to gain a better understanding of Mahatma's life and work.