'Efforts On To Tamper With Constitution': Kharge Warns Of 'Dictatorship', Sounds Clarion Call Ahead Of LS Polls

Mallikarjun Kharge stressed the symbiotic relationship between the Constitution and the unity of the nation, asserting that democracy depends significantly on preservation of constitutional norms.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, CPI(M) Secretary-general Sitaram Yechury and others during the Constitution & National Unity Conference.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge sounded a cautionary note on Sunday alleging ongoing attempts to tamper with the Constitution and said the country could be heading towards a “dictatorial” government if the people fail to unite in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, news agency PTI reported.

Addressing the valedictory session of the 'Constitution and National Unity Convention -2024', Kharge underscored the gravity of the situation, stressing that various quarters are actively seeking to alter or erase the foundational principles enshrined in the Constitution.

"Many people are trying to erase or change the Constitution. If we falter in our resolve and fail to uphold the integrity of our Constitution during the upcoming elections, the spectre of dictatorship looms large over our nation," he said.

The veteran Congress leader stressed the symbiotic relationship between the Constitution and the unity of the nation, asserting that democracy and prosperity are depends significantly upon the preservation of constitutional norms.

"If the Constitution survives, the unity of this country will survive. If democracy survives, everyone can live with prosperity. But today there is no government at the Centre that either protects the Constitution or functions keeping the Constitution in mind,” PTI quoted Kharge as saying.

Hitting out at the Centre, Kharge lamented the absence of a government committed to safeguarding and upholding the principles of the Constitution, accusing the current regime of neglecting its constitutional duties.

In a rallying cry to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution, Kharge urged citizens to remain vigilant against attempts to subvert it through the imposition of particular ideologies.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks about protecting the Constitution, but why are the protectors of the Constitution using the ED (on Opposition leaders), purchasing MLAs of Opposition parties to take control of opposition-ruled states or governments as done in Karnataka, Manipur and Goa? How is this constitutional? If this obsession continues, there may be a day when there will be a dictatorship in this country,” PTI quoted the Congress veteran as saying.

Kharge expressed concern over PM Modi's emphasis on personal guarantees rather than governmental assurances, emphasising that such individual-centric rhetoric undermines the democratic fabric of the nation.

“PM Modi is used to saying ‘my guarantee’ instead of ‘Government's guarantees’ or at least ‘BJP government's guarantees’. How is it your guarantee? It is not yours. If a person keeps harping on ‘I did, I have done, I, I, I....’ then he will lead the country towards dictatorship,” PTI quoted him as saying.