Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 15: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday took a swipe at the NDA government at the Centre during his Independence Day address at the party headquarters, saying the Congress focused on changing people's economic conditions rather than merely changing names.
Addressing the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Indira Bhawan, Kharge highlighted the contributions of former Congress Prime Ministers to India's economy, defence, education and institution-building, and claimed that "90 per cent" of the progress witnessed in the country was the "gift of the Congress Party".
"Today's historic day is not merely a day to commemorate the struggle for Independence, but also an occasion to ask: To what extent has the dream of India envisioned by our freedom fighters been fulfilled?" Kharge said.
He noted that in its 141-year history, the Congress fought against foreign colonial rule for 62 years, with millions of people making immense sacrifices and laying down their lives.
Kharge also emphasised the role of the youth, saying they played an integral part not only in the freedom struggle but also in nation-building after Independence.
Highlighting the contribution of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kharge said he laid the foundation of a modern, democratic and secular India and established institutions such as IITs, IIMs and public sector units, besides developing basic infrastructure.
"He referred to irrigation projects as the temples of modern India. Nehru ji did a lot for the country but still he didn't have an iota of arrogance within him," Kharge said.
He said the Green and White Revolutions were initiated and promoted during the tenure of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, while India's space, nuclear, military and strategic capabilities were strengthened under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
"She played a major role in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971," Kharge added.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge said, "Today, it is said from the Red Fort that everything has been done by them."
Recalling former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's tenure, the Congress president said he restored peace in the Northeast and Punjab and laid the foundation for the IT revolution while strengthening India's defence capabilities.
Kharge said the benefits of those defence reforms were later witnessed during the Kargil War. He also credited Rajiv Gandhi with creating opportunities for young people through the New Education Policy, skill development and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, besides lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.
"He wanted India's youth to confidently face the world in the 21st century," Kharge said.
He further credited former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao with opening India to the world through globalisation and moving the country towards becoming a major investment destination.
Referring to the economic reforms and welfare measures introduced during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tenure, Kharge said Singh gave economic growth a human face alongside development.
Through schemes and laws including MGNREGA, the Right to Education, the Right to Information, the Forest Rights Act and the Food Security Act, Singh strengthened the rights of poor and vulnerable sections, Kharge said.
Kharge also praised Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, saying she had made a "major contribution" by working with dedication and with a team to formulate policies and empower people with their rights.
"We should not forget all this. Today's government has not carried out anything like this. This government has not given people their rights... we (Congress) are the ones who provided food, education and shelter to people but still few people have the habit of taking false credit," he said.
Kharge concluded by asserting that much of what India has today was built through Congress-led initiatives.
"Whatever we see in the country today, 90 per cent of it is the gift of the Congress Party. We did not indulge in merely changing names. We tried to change the people's economic condition," he said.