Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday revealed the findings of an internal survey by the I.N.D.I.A bloc. Addressing a joint press conference with Akhilesh Yadav, chief of the Opposition alliance's partner Samajwadi Party, Kharge said the I.N.D.I.A bloc is "comfortably placed".
Talking about the Congress's stand on quotas for OBC and SC/ST communities, Kharge said only a few may take reservations, but it is the collective responsibility of the country's voters to work for the future of the nation. He said that reservation was only a part of securing the democracy of India. "Many say that 'Congress always talks about reservation, but what is my benefit in it'. Reservation benefits may be availed by a few, but we need to work collectively to save the Constitution. Failing that, we shall descend to slavery."
Kharge further claimed that Mohan Bhagwat said the Constitution of India would be changed if the BJP came to power. "First, RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat said that if they came to power, they would bring changes in the Constitution. Many BJP leaders from UP said similar things. Modiji is silent on all this. If that's not really your intention, why don't you act against those who talk about changing the Constitution," Kharge sought to ask PM Modi. "You [Prime Minister Narendra Modi] talk a lot about your 56-inch chest. Why don't you speak and take action against those who speak against the Constitution?"
Kharge Talks About I.N.D.I.A's 'Internal Report' On Lok Sabha Polls
Kharge said that the I.N.D.I.A bloc's 'internal report' on the ongoing Lok Sabha elections confirmed that the alliance is comfortably placed. "Four phases of elections have been completed so far. Our internal report says I.N.D.I.A is in a strong position... I believe that the I.N.DI.A bloc will form a new government on June 4."
He said the Lok Sabha election 2024 is a battle of ideology. "This is a battle of two ideologies, in which one side is fighting for the poor and the other side is fighting for their rich friends on the basis of religion. We are fighting to eliminate the divide between the rich and the poor."At some places, opposition leaders are stopping our people from filing nominations and scaring election agents.
Kharge Alleges Voter Intimidation
Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that fearing loss in the ongoing elections, the BJP was trying to intimidate voters. "In Hyderabad, we saw women voters in burqas being forced to lift their veils in the name of checking. The 'checking' was done by a BJP candidate," Kharge said, referring to Madhavi Latha. The Hyderabad BJP candidate was caught on camera lifting the veils of Muslim women and checking their identity cards.
A similar allegation was levelled by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti. She said voting was "slowed" in areas of Jammu & Kashmir where there was a large gathering of voters in support of her party.
PM Only Lies And Talks About Mutton, Mangalsutra: Kharge
The Congress president said to win polls, PM Modi talks only about mutton, chicken, and mangalsutra in his speeches. "He just talks about mutton, chicken and Mangalsutra in his poll speeches. But never mentions Manipur. He should talk about his work.
Nehruji built big institutions, built dams and brought about the Green Revolution.
Kharge said PM Modi lied about the Congress manifesto. "He says that we are doing X-rays. He even said somewhere that if you have two buffaloes in your house, you will have to give one to Muslims. What can we do if the PM lies so much?"