Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying people will only remember him as the PM who indulged in “divisive and communal speeches filled with lies” in a bid to sidestep an imminent electoral loss.
In his letter, Kharge advised PM Modi to focus on his government’s performance of the past decade rather than resorting to hate speeches. The Congress president countered the criticism levelled against his party in the PM’s letter to NDA candidates following the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls.
Also Read:LS elections: Polling hours extended in 12 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana due to heatwave
Modi told BJP-led NDA candidates in the Lok Sabha elections to tell voters that the Congress’ intention is to take reservation benefits from SC, ST, and OBC groups and give them to their own supporters. He wrote a letter accusing Congress and its allies of being divisive and unfair, even though it’s against the law to provide reservation based on religion.
Writing to Modi, Kharge said, “I saw the letter written by you to all the NDA candidates about what they need to communicate to the voters. From the tone and content of the letter it seems that there is a lot of desperation and worry in you which is leading you to use language that does not suit the office of the Prime Minister.”
Also Read:Comedian Shyam Rangeela, who shot to fame mimicking Modi, to contest against PM from Varanasi
“The letter makes it look like the lies in your speeches are not having the effect you intended and now you want your candidates to amplify your lies. Repeating a lie a thousand times will not make it the truth,” he added.
The Congress leader asserted that voters are intelligent enough to figure out what their manifesto says and what promises and guarantees have been made. “Our guarantees are so simple and clear, that we don’t have to explain it to them. For your benefit, I will reiterate them here,” Kharge said in his letter, highlighting the party’s Yuva Nyay, Nari Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay.
Kharge further accused BJP of collecting Rs 8,250 crore through “illegal and unconstitutional” electoral bonds. He disputed Modi’s claim in a letter that the Congress wants to implement an Inheritance Tax. Instead, he pointed out that it was former BJP Finance Minister and other party leaders who had talked about it.
“I see from your letter that you are worried by the low turnout of voters in the first two phases of the elections. It shows people are not enthusiastic about your policies or your campaign speeches. This is not because of the summer heat, but because the poor have been burnt by your policies,” the Congress chief said.
Kharge claimed the prime minister showed no interest in discussing widening inequality, unemployment, and rising prices. He accused the government of ignoring the increasing violence against women by leaders in power.
The Congress’ manifesto speaks of ‘Nyay’ and how it will bring growth for all sections of the society, Kharge said.