‘We will not let BJP change Constitution’
: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the ruling BJP at the Centre of attacking the Constitution with an aim of changing it but vowed to protect the guiding principles of the country.
Gandhi’s sharp attack on the BJP came during a rally at Chamarajanagar on the first day of his fourth and final leg of his statewide tour titled Janasahirvada Yatra. Gandhi has been crisscrossing the state ahead of the crucial assembly elections, likely to be held in May, with the ruling Congress facing a stiff challenge from the BJP.
“The BJP has started a new fashion of attacking the Constitution. (BR) Ambedkar fought for this Constitution, but they want to change it. Through this rally I want to warn them, that we will not let this happen. No matter how hard they try we will not let them change Ambedkar’s Constitution,” the Congress chief said.
Gandhi also praised Tipu Sultan, the 18th century ruler whose legacy has been a source of constant dispute, with the Congress government in the state celebrating him and the BJP alleging that he murdered many Hindus.
“Karnataka’s great men have made this land what it is. Tipu Sultan, S Visvesvaraya, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, and the poet Kuvempu,” Gandhi said.
Invoking Basaveshwara’s teachings, Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of not following the philosopher’s famous dictum of practising what one preaches.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi visited the temple of Chamundeshwari in Mysuru and interacted with students at the Maharani College in the city.
Reacting to the allegations made by Gandhi, BJP leader S Suresh Kumar said the Congress had no moral right to allege that another party was attacking the Constitution.
“The most heinous attack on the fundamental rights of the people and the freedom of the press were attacked during the Emergency,” he said.
CHAMARAJANAGAR (KARNATAKA)