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Journalism of Courage
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders for targeting the Gandhi family during campaigning in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said its rivals have nothing to speak on the work done by them.
He said all the big leaders of the country are campaigning in the state. “The Prime Minister, Home Minister, other BJP leaders and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are participating in the election campaign. I have 53 years’ experience in politics and contested 13 elections, winning all except one. I have never witnessed so much participation by any Prime Minister and Home minister in the campaigning for Assembly elections. Normally, the Assembly elections are left to the state leadership but our Prime Minister is taking so much interest and campaigning,” Kharge said.
“The BJP agenda is only to abuse the Congress and it is their habit. They don’t talk about public issues. Modi only abuses the Gandhi family. What is the link of the Gandhi family in the state elections of Maharashtra and Jharkand that they are being abused? I would have understood their criticism of the Gandhi family during the Lok Sabha elections to keep Rahul Gandhi out of power. Is Rahul Gandhi going to be the chief minister that they are now attacking the Gandhi family,” he said.
“Inflation is rising, so they should talk about it. Also they should speak on employment and other issues affecting the economy instead of diverting investment projects of Maharashtra to Gujarat,” he added.
“The BJP has been creating an issue of structures named after Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi but Modi has named a stadium in his name. If what you are doing is right then the naming done by the Congress is also right,” Kharge said.
The Congress chief said the BJP-led government in the state was marred by corruption, so they have no right to make allegations against others. “The BJP levels allegations of corruption against rival leaders and then absorbs them in the party,” he added.
“The BJP only lies as it did about Rs 15 lakh cash deposit in every citizen’s bank account, increase in Minimum Support Price for agriculture products,” Kharge said, adding, “The Congress always fulfills the assurances it gives like NREGA, food security, health mission.”
“I don’t understand how can the BJP lie so much. They are also lying about the stand of the Congress on Article 370. The BJP wants to keep the issue alive for creating division in society,” Kharge alleged.
“The Congress kept the country united. Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his life. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi lost their lives for the country. What have the BJP leaders done for the country,” Kharge said.
