Rahul seeks votes for safe guard idea of inclusive India
‘I would request that you read our manifesto because it is a document that can transform India. And ater that, take a look at the BJP’S,’ Rahul said.
Indian National Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s principal challenger in the ongoing national elections, has urged people to use the ballot to protect the “idea of India.”
The leading opposition figure accused Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological patron, Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, of “atacking every institution” of the nation.
The Congress party leader alleged that the Hindu nationalists were “capturing” institutions using the investigating agencies who “are supposed to be the protectors of our Constitution and the people of our country.”
“(The agencies) have become the political weapons of the BJP to change the very nature of our country,” he said, addressing a massive rally in Kannur in the southern state of Kerala.
“This election, probably for the first time in our modern history, is about the Constitution of India, the democratic structure of our country.”
Gandhi is contesting from his Wayanad constituency for a second term in the seven-phased elections beginning today (Friday).
All 20 constituencies in Kerala, including Wayanad,
will go to the polls on April 26 in staggered elections spread over one and a half months.
“No political party has atempted what the BJP is trying in India today,” Gandhi said, training his gun on Modi’s alleged agenda of “one nation, one language and one leader.”
“BJP is trying to change the diversity of the country. No political party has atempted what the BJP is trying in India today.”
This is the second time Gandhi has arrived in the state to campaign for the candidates of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) ater filing his nomination earlier this month.
In 2019, the UDF swept all but one of the 20 seats in Kerala, and pollsters forecast a similar result this time.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which leads the Let Democratic Front in Kerala, is also part of the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
“UDF accepts the diversity of India. We accept the multiple languages, traditions, histories, and expressions of our people,” he said.
Gandhi also took on Kerala chief minister
Pinarayi Vijayan, a top CPI (M) leader, for “always atacking” him instead of targeting Modi.
He pointed out that if someone atacks the BJP, it will continuously target them, and he experienced it when he was thrown out of the Parliament and his official residence.
He said that while at least two opposition chief ministers were put behind bars, Vijayan, who is also facing a series of corruption allegations, does not face any such threat.
Vijayan’s daughter, Veena Thaikkandiyil, is under the lens of the Enforcement Directorate, investigating financial crimes for regular payment from a company rendering no services.
“When I walk into Parliament House, BJP MPS look at me and say, ‘This man disturbs us 24/7. But there’s a cost to this,” he said.
“Their media channels abuse me, my image is distorted, my Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) membership was taken away, the ED interrogated me for 55 hours.”
“How come none of this is happening to the Kerala CM when he claims to be fighting an ideological batle against the BJP? This is something that the people of Kerala should think about.”
He criticised Modi for making decisions like demonetisation and the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, asking nobody “causing tremendous damage to the country.”
“Before demonetising the Indian currency, did the Prime Minister ask the farmers and labourers what would happen to them?” he asked.
“When COVID was striking India, millions of people were dying; there was no oxygen or ventilators, and the Prime Minister said, Thaali Bajao (bang pots and pans).”
He urged people to read the Congress manifesto, which promises jobs, the direct transfer of money to the underprivileged, and the protection of constitutional values and institutions.
“I would request that you read our manifesto because it is a document that can transform India. And ater that, take a look at the BJP’S,” he said.
“They have two main ideas in their manifesto: to bring the Olympic Games to India and send a man to the moon! So that is the difference between us and them.”