The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
NDA respects Constitution... even Babasaheb can’t change it: Modi
Says he is indebted to poor, backward classes as he comes from among them
OVER THE past few days, there is a concerted attempt on the BJP'S part, led by PM Narendra Modi, to refute the Opposition’s claims that the party is seeking to return to power with a bigger margin with the intention of “changing the Constitution”.
This follows statements by several BJP leaders, including candidates in the Lok Sabha polls, that only “a strong government” could bring the changes needed in the Constitution.
A day after RJD chief Lalu Prasad said that, if re-elected, Modi would change the statute, the PM invoked the Constitution and B R Ambedkar at rallies in both Purnea and Gaya in Bihar, saying he was committed to both. “I feel indebted to the poor, backward classes, the Dalits, as I have come from among them.
And I feel indebted to Babasaheb Ambedkar whose Constitution allowed someone like me to reach where I am,” Modi said.
Ingaya,hesaid:“thecongress and its partners are resorting to lies in the name of the Constitution just to abuse me. The NDA respects the Constitution... even Babasaheb Ambedkar can't changeit...theconstitution,given by Babasaheb and Dr Rajendra Prasad, has made me the PM.”
Modialsoaccusedopposition leaders of being “against the celebrationofconstitutionday”.“for us, the Constitution is a matter of aastha (faith),”hesaid,addingthis election is about punishing those “against the Constitution”.
Linking the issue with his attacks on the Opposition of being “anti-sanatan Dharma”, he said: “Thosewhoabusesanatanshould listen carefully... 80% to 90% of the people in the Constituent Assembly were Sanatanis, and those Sanatanis supported Babasaheb
Ambedkarinmakingsuchagreat Constitution.” Modi spoke along similar lines in an interview with ANI published on Monday.
Onapril14,ambedkarjayanti, Modi said at a rally in MP’S Hoshangabadthatwhilecongress “always insulted Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar”, “we honoured him”. “As soon as the son of a poor family became the PM, the Congress started spreading rumours that Modi has come, the Constitution and democracy would be in danger,” he said. On April 12 in Barmer, he said: “The Congress, which denied Babasaheb Ambedkar thebharatratnaandimposedthe Emergency, should be the last to commentonindia’sconstitution.”
Separately, the BJP Monday moved EC seeking action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of levelling “baseless” allegations against the PM of “wanting to impose one language” and of “seeking to change the Constitution”.
A leader admitted the Opposition had been getting some resonanceonthegroundamongvoters that a next BJP government – having already taken measures such as abrogation of Article 370, and declared plans for a UCC and One Nation, One Election – could go ahead with such changes.
In Gaya, Modi said the BJP has been in power in different states andatthecentre,andclaimedthe country has seen its “best and peaceful time” in this period. On Opposition allegations that minorities would have to leave the country if the BJP came to power, hesaid:“forlast25-30years,they have been playing the same old record... But the minorities are flourishing and enjoying the benefits of government schemes.”