Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, is a ‘government of thieves’. He also accused the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, of having no role in India’s freedom movement or in the country’s unity.
Campaigning for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections in Latur, Kharge sharply criticised the ruling BJP, calling its slogans “Batenge to Katenge” and “Ek Hai to Safe Hai” divisive. He also called the BJP-led government a “government of thieves” and urged voters to defeat it at the polls.
“Mahayuti is a government of thieves. The assembly elections are an opportunity to teach traitors a lesson,” Kharge said.
Kharge targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had questioned Congress leaders for waving the Constitution, saying the caste census promised by Congress in its election manifesto was intended to foster unity and ensure equal distribution of benefits across all communities.
“The caste census is not for dividing people,” Kharge said.
He also reiterated Congress’ historical role in the nation’s unity. “Congress leaders laid down their lives to keep the country and all communities united. In contrast, the BJP and RSS had no contribution to the freedom movement or the unity of the country,” Kharge said.
Kharge further attacked Modi over the slogans raised by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Modi himself, describing them as harmful and divisive.
The Congress leader also highlighted key issues in Maharashtra, such as the alarming rate of farmer suicides, saying, “Seven farmers commit suicide daily in Maharashtra.” He also raised concerns about the concentration of wealth in the country, stating, “62 per cent of India’s wealth is controlled by just 5 per cent of the population, while only 3 per cent is held by 50 per cent of the poor.”
“This is the government of Modi, (Devendra) Fadnavis, (CM) Eknath Shinde and (Deputy CM) Ajit Pawar,” he added.
Kharge continued his attack on Modi, accusing the Prime Minister of lying about various promises, including the 2014 claim of depositing Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of every citizen and creating 2 crore jobs a year.
He praised Congress initiatives like the Right to Education Act, MNREGA, and the Right to Food Act, contrasting them with what he called the BJP’s empty promises.
Holding a copy of the Constitution, Kharge invoked Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s contributions to society and equality. “Only Ambedkar’s Constitution guarantees protection to all sections of society,” he said.
He then questioned Modi’s remarks about the Constitution, saying, “Modi says the red colour of the Constitution reference book symbolises Naxalism and calls the opposition “Urban Naxals”. Modi gave the same copy of the Constitution to President Ram Nath Kovind. Should we call them urban Naxals?”