RAIPUR: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in a public rally on ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Samvidhan’ in Raipur accused the ruling BJP of not fulfilling its pre-poll promises and relying on Delhi for taking decisions.
“BJP promises a lot and forgets after coming to power. The state government has stopped various welfare schemes and measures undertaken by the previous Congress regime. The present CM (Vishnu Deo Sai) has surrendered before Modi ji and Amit Shah. This is an insult to the self-esteem of the state and its people”, said the veteran Congress leader addressing the gathering at science college ground on Monday.
Kharge while recounting the welfare programmes launched by the Bhupesh Baghel government alleged that the BJP intimidates everyone including the Congress leaders.
Referring to the recent statement by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to re-examine the ‘socialist, secular’ words in the Preamble of Indian Constitution, the Congress chief challenged both RSS and BJP to try removing both.
Kharge read out the BJP’s constitution, adopted in 1980 when it came into existence, in which the saffron party has incorporated principles of secularism and socialism in it, and said,
“If they attempt removing it, the entire nation will stand with us against such a move. You (BJP) are misguiding the people and telling lies”.
He asserted that if the country and the Constitution are safe, every Indian will be safe.
Speaking in support of the reservation amendment bill that expanded the quota for ST-SC-OBC and passed by the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh, Kharge questioned the ruling BJP about its status as it has not been implemented.
The Congress leader appealed to the people to remain united to safeguard ‘jal-jungle-zameen’.
“Why is Amit Shah visiting Chhattisgarh time and again? The state CM merely follows his instructions. Several industries are planning to exploit (loot) coal and other minerals in the resource-rich state and they (BJP) are not concerned about its people. Shah has been coming here to examine for minerals”, he claimed.
Kharge criticised PM Modi for not attending an all-party meeting called twice following the Pahalgam terror attack despite the opposition being invited. “Opposition members are also elected leaders and it’s an insult to the people. When Rahul Gandhi can visit Manipur, which is burning, why can’t the PM visit there even once”, he said.
The rally, attended by senior Congress leaders including ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel, state in-charge Sachin Pilot among others, was intended to galvanise the Congress with a renewed strength, revive political fortunes and regain the political ground in Chhattisgarh.