Congress Leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge Rally Voters in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
Tirunelveli, 12th April 2024: Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi delivered a fiery speech at an election rally in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, on Friday (April 12), criticizing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological stance. Gandhi asserted that India is currently embroiled in a war of ideologies, with one side advocating for justice, freedom, and equality, while the other side, in his view, comprises the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his government.
Gandhi accused the central government of weaponizing agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department for political purposes. He also alleged that the Prime Minister personally appoints Election Commissioners, and highlighted instances of opposition leaders facing threats and harassment.
Addressing the crowd, Gandhi emphasized India’s diversity in languages, cultures, and history, stating that every aspect is equally significant. He criticized Modi’s vision of a unified nation with one language, asserting that India’s richness lies in its linguistic and cultural diversity.
Furthermore, Gandhi accused BJP leaders of openly discussing plans to amend the Constitution if re-elected, expressing concerns over the erosion of democracy under the current government. He lamented the shift in global perception of India, from being hailed as a beacon of democracy to now being questioned over the state of its democratic institutions.
In a bid to woo voters, Gandhi promised to generate employment opportunities by filling the 30 lakh vacant positions in the central government. He pledged to pass the Right to Apprenticeship Act in Parliament, providing training and job opportunities to graduates and diploma holders.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge held a separate rally in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, expressing confidence in the momentum of the “I.N.D.I.A block,” an apparent reference to the opposition alliance. Kharge criticized Modi for unfulfilled promises, particularly regarding job creation and financial aid to citizens. He accused the Prime Minister of exacerbating the plight of the poor through inflation, contrasting this with Congress-led initiatives such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and the Karnataka government’s welfare schemes.
