PM should focus on development issues, not divisive politics, says Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge

On PM Modi’s remarks that he has never discriminated between Hindu and Muslim, Kharge responded, “Had the prime minister not said mutton, beef, chicken, fish and mangalsutra… These words are not mine but his (PM’s).

“I am saying that leave these things, tell people about the work you did and seek votes on its behalf. They talk of mutton-chicken not us,” Kharge said.

Also Read: BJP sends highest number of political ads for poll panel’s approval, reveals data

‘INDIA bloc in a strong position’

The Congress chief asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc is in a strong position after four phases of Lok Sabha polls and that the people of the country are prepared to bid farewell to Prime Minister Modi.

“Four rounds of polling have been completed in the country. The INDIA bloc is in a very strong position. I can say with full confidence that the people of the country have prepared to bid farewell to Narendra Modi. INDIA bloc is going to form the new government on 4 June,” he said.

The SP chief claimed the alliance will win 79 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

“INDIA bloc will win 79 seats in Uttar Pradesh. It is in contest only on just one seat ‘Kyoto’,” Yadav said referring to the PM’s parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.

The prime minister and the BJP have earlier stated that they will develop Varanasi like Kyoto, a picturesque city in Japan.

Kharge also claimed that the BJP will change the Constitution if it comes to power again.

“These people are trying to change the Constitution. RSS leader Mohan Bhagawat said it first. It was said in Karnataka that two-thirds majority is needed to change the Constitution. In Uttar Pradesh, so many from the BJP have talked of changing the Constitution,” Kharge said.

He asked why PM Modi has not taken any action against those who talk of changing the Constitution.

“I am surprised that Modi remains quiet on this. You talk of strength and 56-inch chest, why don’t you scare them, expel them from the party. One should not say such things against the Constitution,” he added.

Also Read: SC orders release of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, declares his arrest ‘invalid’

‘BJP stuck in its own negative narrative’

Accusing the prime minister of lying and abusing the Congress party and its leaders, he said, “I think he (PM) would not have taken the name of Lord Ram as many times as he abuses Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the remaining times to Priyanka Gandhi and me,” Kharge said.

The Congress chief also promised to provide a 10 kg free ration per month to the poor if his party is voted to power.

“If INDIA bloc government is formed, we will provide 10 kg of free ration per month to the poor,” he said while noting that the Congress made a law — the Food Security Act — to ensure food is provided to the poor.

Yadav said with the completion of four phases of polling, the “lies of BJP have also reached the summit and are now tumbling down”.

“The BJP is stuck in its own negative narrative. When we look back all their promises turned out to be false. Sensing defeat, the BJP people have changed the language in their addresses. The time for negative politics is up and the people of the country want a change which is coming on 4 June,” Yadav said.

The former UP chief minister, who is in the fray from the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat, said that in the Bundelkhand region of the state, the BJP will not win a single seat.

He also attacked the state government over an exam paper leak.

While the Congress is contesting on 17 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party is from 62 seats. The All India Trinamool Congress, which is part of the INDIA bloc, has pitted its candidate from Bhadohi.

(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)