Taking a dig at the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said if a person is made God in a democracy, it will not become a democracy but an autocracy.
He called upon all sections of the society, especially the SC/ST and other weaker sections, to unite to protect the Constitution and democracy.
Pointing to Modi projecting his Gujarati identity while seeking votes during the Gujarat polls, the veteran leader urged people to vote for the Congress in the upcoming elections in Karnataka, noting that it was also from here. Mitti is red and asked people to support him. Party and its leaders.
“Modi ji, in democracy if you make one person god for everything, it is not democracy, it will lead to dictatorship. Think about it. You have to know your rights and you should fight to get it,” Kharge said.
He was addressing a mega convention of SC/ST communities ‘Ekita Samasav’ organized by the Karnataka Congress ahead of the assembly elections due in April-May.
Kharge further said, ‘If you have strength, if you are united, then you will be worth it. If you are not united, then the principle of divide and rule which the British used and now Modi is using, will be applied to you by everyone else in the society. Bear this in mind.”
Protecting democracy and protecting the Constitution should be the goal in the country, he said, adding that if there is a Constitution and democracy, one can seek reservation, promotion and become an MLA or minister.
AICC chief suggested that lakhs of people are connecting with the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi In his “Bharat Jodo Yatra”, a nationwide march he is undertaking as it focuses on unemployment, price rise, among other issues.
“There are more than 30 lakh vacant posts in the government sector, Modi is not filling them, why? We have to question and demand to fill it. Out of 30 lakh, 15 lakh are for SC/ST and OBC, these are assured jobs.”
“They (BJP administration) are not doing recruitment to fill these vacancies because if the poor get jobs and money comes in their hands, then their (BJP) game will be over. So they are recruiting people on contract basis for daily wages and jobs.”
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah, state Congress chief DK Shivakumar, AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala were among party leaders who attended the event.
Stating that we should question the government which is silent on its promise of providing two crore jobs every year, Kharge said, “Kya kisi ne pakhaya? No, when Modi comes, only Modi shouts Modi’s slogans and when Amit Shah comes, shout Shah, Shah’s slogans, ask him about the job.
Highlighting the issues of unemployment, farmers, he said, “Despite all this, why are people from the SC/ST community also silent? why didn’t you fight This is your fundamental right given under the Constitution.”
Kharge alleged that progressive thinkers and writers who write in favor of the poor or against the ruling party and its policies are directly sent to jail and there is no freedom of speech and expression for them. And all his activities, all the time.
Seeking votes in an attempt to project his Kannadiga identity, he said, “I went to Gujarat to campaign, Modi used to address rallies wherever he went, saying – I am the son of the poor, of the soil.” Son, son of Gujarat, please catch and pick me up. When he was brought up and raised by the people in Gujarat, you should do the same for me here in Karnataka.”
Pointing out that Modi used to project his Gujarati identity and seek votes, he said, “Here we are all from Karnataka. Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, Muniyappa (former union minister), Parameshwara (former deputy CM) and I are from Karnataka. That’s why we would request you that we are also sons of this soil, get us elected and form the government.
Kharge said Karnataka which was a progressive state has seen ruins under the BJP’s rule, adding, “They created quarrels between people in the name of religion, caste. BJP is responsible for this… There is loot and distribute (loot and share) system under BJP, no work is being done, money is being demanded everywhere.
Officials say money is important at all levels, saying “We have such a government, is this the government we want here?” If such a government has to go, you will have to work together to ensure the victory of the Congress.” Hitting out at BJP national president JP Nadda, who had recently visited Karnataka, he said he would visit his home state Himachal Pradesh. I lost, and are roaming here seeking votes.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)