Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president, launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, accusing him of dismantling the nation and its democracy. Additionally, she claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is coercing opposition leaders to join their saffron ranks in anticipation of the Lok Sabha election.
Concerns Over Democracy and Governance
Sonia Gandhi, during a rally in Jaipur, expressed her concerns about the current state of democracy in the country, stating that democratic institutions are being dismantled and a plot to alter the Constitution is underway. She pointed out that over the past decade, the government has made persistent efforts to fuel unemployment, inflation, and inequality while perpetuating atrocities. Gandhi emphasized that the actions of the Modi government are apparent to all, highlighting the urgency for change.
Criticism of PM Modi
Sonia Gandhi further asserted that, in his self-proclaimed greatness, Prime Minister Modi is tearing apart the dignity of the country and its democracy.
Public Manifesto Launch
Sonia Gandhi, along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other leaders of the grand old party held a rally in Jaipur to publicly launch its poll manifesto ‘Nyay Patra’.
Opposition Under Attack
Addressing the event earlier, Priyanka Gandhi also said that the opposition was under attack under the BJP rule at the Centre, referring to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren.
Congress Manifesto Highlights
The Congress unveiled its manifesto on Friday, highlighting the ‘Paanch Nyay’ (five pillars of justice) – ‘Yuva Nyay’, ‘Naari Nyay’, ‘Kisaan Nyay’, ‘Shramik Nyay’, and ‘Hissedari Nyay’. The party’s manifesto included commitments such as ensuring a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), establishing a national minimum wage of ₹400 per day, initiating reforms in personal laws, conducting a nationwide caste census, and proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the 50 percent cap on reservations for SC, ST, and OBC, among other pledges.
Criticism of Congress
Meanwhile, PM Modi on Saturday hit out at the Congress over its election manifesto, calling it an “imprint of the Muslim League”.
During a public gathering in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a speaker commented on the Congress party’s recent manifesto, stating that it demonstrates the party’s disconnect from the hopes and aspirations of modern India. The speaker drew a parallel between the Congress manifesto and the ideologies of the Muslim League during the freedom movement, implying that both share similar thinking.