Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Kumari Selja launched a sharp critique against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, alleging a visible "attack on democracy" across the nation. She pointed to recent political developments in West Bengal as a glaring example of this trend.
Misuse of Central Agencies Before Elections
Addressing party workers in the Dabwali area of Sirsa district, Selja accused the BJP-led central government of systematically misusing central investigative agencies to target political opponents. She stated that as elections approach, the intensity of these actions increases, particularly in states where the BJP is not in power.
"West Bengal is a clear example, where attempts are being made to destabilise the elected government and influence the democratic process before elections," Selja asserted. She argued that such tactics reveal the BJP's fundamental lack of faith in democratic institutions and processes.
Allegations of Weakening MGNREGA and Anti-Poor Policies
Shifting focus to welfare schemes, the Congress MP highlighted her party's historical commitment to the poor and marginalised. She recalled that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, under former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, enacted the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This landmark legislation provided a legal guarantee of 100 days of employment for the rural poor, with the central government bearing the full financial burden.
Selja alleged that the current BJP government has severely weakened the core spirit of MGNREGA. She claimed this was done by curtailing the powers of local panchayats and state governments. Furthermore, she accused the Centre of making the programme ineffective by imposing a 40 per cent financial burden on states, despite the limited availability of year-round employment opportunities in rural areas.
"These policies clearly show that the BJP government favours the wealthy and is not serious about protecting the livelihoods and dignity of the poor," she alleged during the grievance hearing session.
Congress's Stance and Political Context
Selja vowed that the Congress party would continue its resolute fight to safeguard the rights of the poor and marginalised sections of society. The event was also attended by senior Congress leader Dr. KV Singh, underscoring the party's engagement at the grassroots level in the region.
Her remarks come amid a charged political atmosphere in the country, with opposition parties consistently levelling allegations of the central government using agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for political gains. The reference to West Bengal is seen as a direct comment on the ongoing tensions between the state's ruling Trinamool Congress and the central government.
