Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also slammed Modi, saying that instead of answering a single question on issues related to youth, women, farmers, Dalits, and backwards, the prime minister “shamelessly lied” and made “insulting” statements in his rallies in Rajasthan to divert attention from the real issues.
22 Apr. 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks during a rally in Rajasthan have stirred controversy, with opposition leaders condemning his statements suggesting that a potential Congress government would redistribute citizens’ valuables to certain groups, including ‘those with more children’ and ‘infiltrators’.
Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), took to social media to criticize Modi, accusing him of targeting Muslims for political gain since 2002. Owaisi also lambasted the Modi government for allegedly favoring wealthy individuals, highlighting statistics that show 1% of the population owning 40% of India’s wealth.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed similar sentiments, characterizing Modi’s speech as a desperate ploy to divert attention away from ongoing elections. Kharge went on to accuse Modi of denigrating the prime ministerial office and employing tactics reminiscent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging a pattern of deceit and baseless allegations.
Rahul Gandhi, another prominent Congress leader, responded by emphasizing the need to address genuine issues such as employment and national development, insinuating that Modi’s rhetoric reflects desperation in light of disappointing electoral trends.
Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale urged citizens to voice their concerns by lodging complaints with the Election Commission against Modi’s speech, criticizing the commission for allegedly favoring the BJP.
Jairam Ramesh, a Congress general secretary, accused Modi of sidestepping critical issues by resorting to falsehoods and insults during his rallies.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also slammed Modi, saying that instead of answering a single question on issues related to youth, women, farmers, Dalits, and backwards, the prime minister “shamelessly lied” and made “insulting” statements in his rallies in Rajasthan to divert attention from the real issues.
“What we do know is that the first phase has been very bad for them (BJP). But perhaps the situation is much worse than what we estimate. It seems that the Prime Minister has lost his mental balance due to the frustration and disappointment of losing power,” Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X.
“Remember: BJP ‘dakshin mein saaf, uttar mein half’ (BJP wiped out in the South and its tally half in the North),” the Congress leader said.
Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera accused the PM of “lying”.
“We challenge the Prime Minister to show if Hindu-Muslim is written anywhere in our manifesto. This kind of shallow mindset is in your political values,” Khera said.
“We have talked about justice for youth, women, farmers, tribals, middle class and workers. Do you have any objection to this also?” he said, slamming the PM.
In his remarks in Rajasthan, Modi said, “The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom – Manmohan Singh’s government had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s assets.”
Responding to Modi’s remarks, Congress officials clarified that their manifesto does not endorse wealth redistribution but rather supports a comprehensive socio-economic caste census.
In addition, Modi’s specific reference to “those who have more children” (or “jinke zyada bacche hain”) has fueled further criticism and debate within the political sphere. The implication that a Congress-led government would favor individuals with larger families has sparked outrage among opposition figures and citizens alike.
Moreover, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Jairam Ramesh, underscored the importance of civic engagement, urging at least 1000 responsible Indian citizens to voice their concerns through direct communication with the Chief Election Commissioner. This call to action seeks to hold the Election Commission accountable and demand strict action against Modi’s divisive rhetoric.
The exchange underscores the intense rhetoric characterizing India’s election season, with political parties engaging in heated debates over issues such as wealth distribution, social policies, and electoral integrity. As the campaign unfolds, these exchanges highlight the deep divides and contrasting visions for the future of the country.
