RAIPUR: During his visit to Sukma district, the national Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the PM does not want the power to go in the hands of the poor while the Congress always stood with tribals and fought to protect their 'jal, jungle, jameen' .
The senior Congress leader was addressing an election rally in insurgency-hit Sukma district, the assembly segment of which goes for polls in the first phase of elections on November 7.
Criticizing the Prime Minister, Kharge said that when PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament building, no invitation was given to the then President Ram Nath Kovind because he was "untouchable" and even during the inauguration of the building, the incumbent President Droupadi Murmu was not invited because she comes from a Scheduled Tribe community.
"Only two people are capable of discrimination - Modi and home minister Amit Shah. Presidents belonging to ST and SC communities have been elected for their positions, but not invited to participate in the foundation stone ceremony and inauguration of the Parliament building. The PM doesn't want to give power in the hands of the poor," the Congress stalwart said.
He added that the BJP has no other job than criticizing the Congress party.
"I have not come here just to seek votes from you to win elections, but I am committed to protecting the tribal community, this country, its Constitution, and democracy as well," Kharge said.
Konta assembly seat (ST) is witnessing a triangular contest with influential tribal leader and Congress minister Kawasi Lakhma who is seeking a sixth term as an MLA from this constituency, against the BJP leader, Soyam Muka, a popular face among tribal community also known for being the front runner during anti-Naxalite movement of Salwa Judum while Manish Kunjam, the CPI leader is contesting as an independent candidate on the seat.
Speaking at another election meeting in Mahasamund, the Congress president said that his party had assured several guarantees if the Congress is re-elected to power. Accusing the Modi government of unleashing falsehoods and not keeping its promises like doubling the income of farmers and generating employment, the senior Congress leader said that the people must vote for parties that fulfill their promises.
Referring to the violence in Manipur, Kharge said Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not go to the strife-torn northeastern state or take any initiatives to ensure peace. "But wherever there are elections, Modi rushes there and is in the forefront to seek votes," he added.
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