Thoubal (Manipur) : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who addressed the flag-off rally of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra here on Sunday, made a scathing attack on Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of using religion for electoral gains.
Kharge alleged that Modi comes to Manipur for votes but when people were in trouble, he did not visit. He made this in a reference to the ethnic violence in the northeastern state, which broke out in May last year, and claimed more than 180 lives while rendering thousands homeless. "One should not do dhongbaazi (deception) for votes, he said.
Stating that he (PM Modi) is seen enjoying the sea, sitting and chanting Ram Ram, the Congress chief said: 'Mukh mein Ram, bagal mein churi', don't do this with the people." Kharge said referring to the Hindi idiom that cautions against people whose words and actions differ. "Everybody has faith in God and remembers God, there is no doubt about that, but don't do this for votes. One should not do 'dhongbaazi' for securing votes," Kharge said.
Earlier, upon arriving in Manipur, the Congress chief said that Rahul Gandhi is fighting to protect preamble of Constitution. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is being taken out to save Constitution, democracy and stop fascist forces, he asserted. It is aimed to ensure employment for people, it is against price rise and for farmer's rights, the Congress chief said.
Kharge took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur which has been in the grip of violence for the last few months, saying that the PM only visited the state during elections 'seeking votes'. "PM Narendra Modi comes here (Manipur) to seek votes, but has not come when people in Manipur are in pain," Kharge said while addressing a gathering at the launch of the party's march, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Mallikarjun Kharge and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi flagged off the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur's Thoubal. The yatra will cover over 6,700 kilometres over 67 days, traversing through 110 districts. The leaders and workers of the party paid a silent tribute to the people killed in the violence in the state before the start of the yatra.
Kharge further hit out at PM Modi and said that the latter keeps chanting the name of Lord Ram to seek votes. He further alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mixes religion with politics and incites people. "BJP mixes religion with politics and incites people. We fight for secularism, equality, and social justice.. Rahul Gandhi has come to Manipur to share your pain and talk about your problems," he added.
Kharge also said, "When Jawaharlal Nehru first visited Manipur, he described it as the jewel of India. And the same was said by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi." (with agency inputs)
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