As the row over "Muslims first" claim by Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to simmer, the Bharatiya Janata Party responded to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's two-page letter to PM Modi by sharing an old video of erstwhile PM Manmohan Singh from April 2009. While sharing the video, the saffron party stressed its previous claims saying that Manmohan Singh reiterated his statement ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2009 that the poor especially Muslims should be the priority to receive the nation's resources. The saffron party said that the video supports its assertion that it is "Congress' policy to give preferential treatment to Muslims".
The video was shared by the saffron party on its social media handle on X (formerly Twitter). Referring to the video, BJP stated that the former PM "categorically stated that he stood by his earlier assertion that Muslims should have first right when it comes to resources."
Claiming that the video supports its assertion on the claim, BJP said: "This unequivocal assertion by Dr Manmohan Singh demolishes the Congress’ canards and clarifications on his previous statement. It supports our assertion that preferential treatment to Muslims is a clear policy of the Congress Party."
BJP then went on to say that the video was a proof of the Congress mindset which was focused on giving preference to Muslims in everything, from reservation to resources.
Mallikarjun Kharge Writes Letter To PM Modi
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to PM Modi on Thursday, criticising him for his claims and remarks regarding Muslims, wealth redistribution, mangalsutra, and his "persistent efforts to distort and defame" the Congress manifesto. Read the full letter here.
In the two-page letter, Kharge slammed the PM for the language he had been using during the election rallies and said that he would happily meet him to explain him the actual reality of Congress manifesto.
Kharge further added that the PM was being misinformed by his advisors who were merely applausing him and keeping him away from what the "right thinking people in the country who are disappointed by his speeches".
"It has become your habit to seize on a few words taken out of context and create a communal divide. You are lowering the dignity of the chair by speaking in this manner," Kharge said while slamming the PM for his remarks.