HYDERABAD: AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday challenged the BJP and its top leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that neither they nor their successors can remove the words Secular and Socialist from the Preamble of the Constitution of India. He asserted that the Congress would form the government at the Centre as it did in Telangana.
The AICC chief was addressing a public meeting, Samajika Nyaya Samara Bheri, at the LB Stadium here to engage directly with the party’s grassroots leadership. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and TPCC leaders at all levels.
Addressing the meeting, Revanth echoed Kharge’s views, promising to lead the Congress to victory in 100 Assembly and 15 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections.
BJP leaders going against constitution of own party: Kharge
Kharge read from the BJP’s constitution, quoting its pledge to uphold socialism, secularism, and democracy.
“The party shall bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and to the principles of socialism, secularism, and democracy, and would uphold the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India,” he quoted from Article 2 of the BJP’s constitution.
He then asked, “If these values are so despised by you, why did you write them into your own founding document?”
Accusing the BJP of making hollow promises, Kharge said the Congress had delivered on its commitments, including women’s empowerment, and extending financial benefits to farmers.
“Congress seeks votes on the merits of the work we have done,” he said, noting that the government plans to introduce legislation such as the Rohith Vemula Act to end institutional discrimination and a law for the welfare of gig workers.
Criticising the PM over Operation Sindoor, he said that Congress and other parties had extended complete support to the BJP in its efforts against Pakistan. He said Modi claims he will act against Pakistan but has done nothing, and added that there was an opportunity to reclaim PoK. “Who stopped you from doing it?” he asked.
Accusing the Modi-led administration of damaging the economy and undermining the rule of law, Kharge said Congress would soon teach the BJP a lesson. He recalled that Congress had set up around 50 public sector undertakings in Hyderabad under Indira Gandhi’s tenure, and challenged Modi to name at least one established by the BJP government.
Slamming the Centre over the Pahalgam terror attack, Kharge said that while all parties supported the government and the armed forces, Modi did not attend the all-party meeting and instead went abroad to campaign for elections.
“This is his patriotism,” the AICC president remarked.
“Modi says he will act against Pakistan. Why is your mouth shut after Trump announced that he mediated peace talks?” he asked.
Kharge said former PM Indira Gandhi split Pakistan into two despite pressure from the US, and argued that the opportunity could have been seized during the India-Pakistan conflict. “We are ready to die for the country. Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives for this country. Has anyone from your party done the same?” he asked, adding that RSS ideologues had sought pardon from the British. He also accused the Centre of damaging relations with neighbouring countries.