Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, Apr 28: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, criticizing his absence from the all-party meeting convened to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and accusing him of prioritizing election campaigns over national concerns.
Speaking at the Congress' "Samvidhan Bachao Rally" at Ramlila Maidan in Jaipur, Kharge expressed his disappointment, stating, "It is unfortunate for the country that when its self-respect was attacked in Pahalgam, the Prime Minister was busy delivering an election speech in Bihar. Leaders of all parties attended the all-party meeting, but it is saddening that PM Modi did not. Was Bihar so far away? He should have come to the meeting, shared his plan, and told us how we could help."
He further questioned Modi's leadership, saying, "You boast about a 56-inch chest, but when it was time to lead, you didn't even attend an all-party meeting. We, leaders of all parties, gathered, yet you showed indifference. Such is the attitude of our Prime Minister."
Kharge also accused Modi of failing to address critical issues like inflation and unemployment, contrasting the Congress's welfare initiatives with Modi's alleged empty promises. "All major welfare schemes today are gifts from Congress. What has PM Modi given? Only inflation and joblessness. He promised big things but delivered little. PM Modi's 56-inch chest has shrunk under the weight of his unfulfilled promises," he asserted.
Highlighting alleged discrimination against Dalits and Backward Classes, Kharge cited an incident where a temple was ritually cleansed after a Dalit leader's visit, questioning the BJP's claims of Hindu unity. He also criticized Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about B.R. Ambedkar, accusing him of displaying "hatred" towards the architect of the Indian Constitution.
Kharge emphasized the importance of the Constitution, stating, "It is because of Ambedkar's Constitution that a tea-seller can become the Prime Minister and a mill worker's son like me can become the Leader of Opposition. If the Constitution survives, so will democracy."
He then proceeded to list what he termed Modi's "12 lies," including promises to repatriate black money, create jobs, reduce fuel prices, and clean the Ganga, claiming that none of these pledges had been fulfilled.
"We can't even have a morning prayer without PM Modi appearing on our TV screens. It feels like watching Amitabh Bachchan in an advertisement. The Prime Minister's post demands a statesman's stature, but today, it has been reduced to mere propaganda," Kharge remarked.
Concluding his address, Kharge reaffirmed his faith and belief in unity and equality, contrasting it with the BJP's "divisive politics." "I am also a Hindu. My name, Mallikarjun, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. We believe in unity and equality, not in the divisive politics practiced by PM Modi and Amit Shah," he stated.
Following the rally, Kharge was scheduled to hold closed-door meetings with Rajasthan Congress leaders to discuss organizational matters.