Congress Accuses PM Modi of Turning National Address into Political Attack
In a sharp rebuke, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labeling his recent official address to the nation as a "political speech full of mudslinging and outright lies." Kharge asserted that a "desperate and frustrated PM, with nothing meaningful to show for the last 12 years," exploited the platform for partisan gains.
Violation of Model Code of Conduct Alleged
Kharge emphasized that the model code of conduct is currently in effect and accused PM Modi of blatantly misusing official machinery to target political opponents. "This is a travesty of democracy and the Constitution of India," Kharge stated in a post on social media platform X. The Congress party has characterized Modi's speech as "a distress address rather than a national address," suggesting the Prime Minister appeared "unhinged" following recent legislative setbacks.
Jairam Ramesh Condemns PM's Actions on Women's Reservation
Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh escalated the criticism, demanding an apology from PM Modi for what he called "shameless, deceitful attempts to push through a devious delimitation proposal in the name of women." Ramesh questioned Modi's intent, stating, "His 'niyat' (intent) is anything but saaf (clean). It is poisonous." He highlighted the delayed notification of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, passed in September 2023 but only notified late on April 16 after a 30-month delay, as evidence of hypocrisy.
Allegations of Hypocrisy and Constitutional Attack
Ramesh further accused PM Modi of sheer hypocrisy in discussing women's respect, citing the Prime Minister's conduct throughout his life. He argued that Modi's actions in the Lok Sabha represented a direct assault on democracy and federalism. "What the PM attempted yesterday—a weakening of our democracy and our federalism—was exactly the sort of attack on the Constitution that was anticipated when the PM called for '400 paar' in the run-up to the 2024 LS elections," Ramesh declared.
Congress Counters PM's Claims on Policy Legacy
Ramesh also dismissed PM Modi's assertions that the Congress had opposed key initiatives like Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile and GST, countering that both policies are "entirely Congress creations." He expressed revulsion at Modi's attempts to invoke the legacy of Constitution-makers, calling it dishonest.
Challenge to Implement Women's Reservation
In a direct challenge, Ramesh responded to PM Modi's comment about awaiting an auspicious time for women's reservation, stating, "There is no need for a 'muhurat' to give India's women their due." He urged the Prime Minister to introduce a bill in Parliament immediately to implement women's reservation within the existing Lok Sabha framework, underscoring Congress's commitment to gender equality without delay.
