PM Modi slams Congress for 'vote-hungry' tactics and unfair reservation policies

RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his scathing attack on the Congress on Wednesday, accusing it of being a 'vote-hungry' party that seeks to implement reservation based on religion and impose inheritance tax by seizing people's properties and assets from their children.
“There are forces that wish to see a weak government led by Congress and the INDI alliance because they realize their 'shops will be shut' when the country becomes 'aatmnirbhar' (self-reliant),” he said while addressing a poll rally in Ambikapur, Surguja Lok Sabha constituency.
“Today, I would like to highlight the Congress's Muslim League-like thinking before the people of Surguja. When the Indian Constitution was being drafted under the leadership of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, it was decided that reservation in India would not be based on religion. If there is to be reservation, it will be for my tribal and Dalit brothers and sisters, but not based on religion,” Modi said.
But the vote-hungry Congress has never heeded the advice of great leaders, nor do they care about the Constitution or Ambedkar, he added.
“Many years ago, Congress in Andhra Pradesh attempted to introduce reservation based on religion and planned to implement it nationwide. They proposed giving 15 percent reservation based on religion, intending to deduct that percentage from the quotas for Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Congress expressed this intention in their 2009 and 2014 election manifestos, indicating their determination. This means that even if it requires cutting the reservation quota for tribals and Dalits, they are willing to do so to implement reservation based on religion,” Modi stated.
He further mentioned that in Karnataka, Congress had once attempted a similar form of reservation. However, as soon as the BJP took over, they nullified the decision, reinstating the rights of Dalits and tribals, which had been violated against the Constitution and the sentiments of Ambedkar.
“Congress in Karnataka committed another offense by categorizing all communities under the Muslim religion as OBCs, diverting a significant portion of benefits meant for OBCs to their quota. Congress has thus undermined and betrayed the principles of social justice and secularism in the country. Congress aims to replicate this Karnataka model nationwide by manipulating the Constitution and reducing the rights of ST/SCs to cater to their vote bank,” Modi alleged, emphasizing that there is more to Congress' agenda than just ideas on reservation.
Modi expressed that he wants to make his tribal brothers and sisters aware that Congress's intentions are unfair and contrary to the Constitution, social justice, and communal harmony. He urged them to strengthen BJP so that Congress does not govern any state and to give him a chance to protect their reservation rights.
"A few months ago, I sought the blessings of the people to remove the corrupt grip of Congress from power, and I was blessed. The corrupt are now being held accountable, and the whole country is witnessing it. Today, I seek blessings for a developed India and Chhattisgarh."
“When I talk about a developed India, Congress and some forces become agitated. If India becomes strong, the plans of a few forces will be thwarted. That's why they want a weak government led by Congress and the INDI alliance, a Congress government riddled with internal conflicts and corruption. Throughout history, Congress's lust for power has led to the country's destruction. Terrorism and Naxalism proliferated because of whom? Congress's misrule and negligence are responsible for the country's devastation,” Modi said.
“Congress isn't just eyeing your reservation; they also aim to seize your earnings, properties, houses, and shops. A Congress leader stated that they would conduct an 'X-ray' of every household's cupboards and lockers, indicating their intent to scrutinize the wealth and assets accumulated over generations and distribute it equally. Do I need to tell you whom they will give it to after looting it from you? Would you allow them to commit this sin?” Modi asked the people.
Modi continued, “Congress claims it will bring about revolutionary changes once in power, but the public is not going to give them that chance. The dangerous intentions of Congress are becoming increasingly evident.”
“The advisor to the royal family's prince, who was also his father's advisor, once suggested imposing heavier taxes on the hardworking middle class in the country. Now, Congress has gone a step further, proposing an inheritance tax,” Modi said.
“Congress intends to tax the properties inherited from parents, depriving your children of the assets you earned through hard work. It means looting is Congress's mantra - both in life and after death. Congress will burden you with more taxes during your lifetime and impose inheritance taxes after your death. They have handed over the entire Congress party, assuming it as their ancestral property, to their children. But they don’t want ordinary Indians to pass on their property to their children,” Modi said.
Modi stressed that the culture of the country is not consumerist; rather, it values accumulation, enhancement, and preservation. This ethos has enabled the preservation of nature and the environment. He emphasized that people in India traditionally preserve their assets, intending to pass them down through generations.
“The people of my country are accustomed to living within their means and spending accordingly; this is their fundamental nature. However, Congress is ruthlessly attacking the fundamental values and nature of the country. They justify this thinking with age-old reasons. When I mentioned that urban Naxalites have infiltrated the Congress party, there was an uproar, and they issued statements against me to maintain balance and impress Americans. But they should not waste time nitpicking my statements. Congress only wants to loot your property and the property rights of your children. Will the people of the country allow this to happen?” Modi questioned.
“Friends, when Congress ruled the country, your money was looted. However, one by one, BJP has started spending your money for your rights. With this money, we provided concrete houses to 13 lakh families, free ration, and free medical treatment to five lakh families,” PM Modi added.
“When BJP nominated me as PM earlier, I addressed a rally in Ambikapur from a stage decorated like Lal Quila. Congress attacked me, questioning how I could speak from such a stage when I hadn't yet been elected as PM. They created chaos over it, but the support and blessings of the people re-elected me.”
“Today, BJP is taking strict action against Naxalism and terrorism, but what is Congress doing? They are extending support to those who propagate violence, and they glorify those who kill innocent civilians and security forces as 'martyrs.' This is how Congress is disrespecting the martyrs of the country. A senior Congress leader sheds tears when a terrorist is killed, and the party has lost the trust of the country because of such actions,” Modi concluded.