Kharge Claims India Faces Threat from RSS, Modi, and Shah

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 10th Nov. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leadership, accusing them of posing a threat to India’s democratic values. Speaking at a ‘Save Constitution’ conference in Mumbai, Kharge targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, calling their slogans such as “Ek Hai to Safe Hai” and “Batenge to Katenge” a reflection of divisive politics.

Kharge questioned the intent behind these slogans, alleging that they were part of the BJP’s attempts to sow division in the country. “The prime minister says ‘Ek Hai to Safe Hai’ while other BJP leaders talk about ‘Batenge to Katenge’ (divided we fall). Who is threatened? In fact, the country faces threat from RSS, BJP, Modi, and Shah,” he remarked. Modi had previously used the slogan “Ek Hai to Safe Hai” during the BJP’s campaign for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls, accusing Congress of attempting to divide backward communities like OBCs, SCs, and STs. Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath’s “Batenge to Katenge” slogan, urging unity among Hindus, has also garnered attention.

Kharge, further criticizing the prime minister, questioned whether Modi could be called a democratic leader. “Issues can be resolved through discussions, which would strengthen democracy. But they (BJP) want to dismantle democracy,” Kharge said. He drew comparisons with the leadership of past prime ministers such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, under whom, he claimed, political decorum was maintained despite differences.

Kharge was in Mumbai to unveil the manifesto for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP), for the Maharashtra elections. The MVA is locked in a fierce contest with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance for political dominance in the state.

The Congress chief also accused the BJP and RSS of dividing the people of India, stating, “BJP and RSS have already divided people. We work to unite people.” He further alleged that the BJP resorts to using central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against political opponents when it faces electoral setbacks. “How long will these agencies intimidate politicians and imprison them? We are fighting against this government with a strong resolve,” Kharge asserted.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule announced that the Sharad Pawar-led faction and Shiv Sena (UBT) would continue their legal battle in the Supreme Court to freeze the symbols allotted to the rival factions. She emphasized that their fight against the BJP was ideological and not personal, adding, “We feel our new symbols are better than the previous ones.”

The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, and both the MVA and BJP-led alliances are preparing for a high-stakes political contest in the state.