Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday criticized the Congress for its claims about upholding the Constitution, accusing the party of undermining it during the Emergency and neglecting it during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
"Sikhs were killed after putting burning tyres around them. At that time, they did not care about the Constitution," Modi stated at his final campaign rally of the seven-phase election.
Speaking in support of Hoshiarpur candidate Anita Som Parkash and Anandpur Sahib nominee Subhash Sharma, Modi addressed issues like reservation, corruption, and the Ram Temple.
Responding to Congress's allegation that the BJP would abolish the Constitution if it came to power, Modi said, "Nowadays people of the country are hearing rants from INDI alliance about the Constitution. These are the same people who strangled constitution during Emergency".
He also accused the Congress and the INDI alliance of having "dangerous" intentions regarding reservation policies. "In the last 10 years, I have always protected reservation for SC/ST/OBCs," Modi said. "Congress and INDI alliance are enraged over my efforts. Their intentions on reservation are dangerous. Their complete track record has been to snatch reservation of SC, ST and OBC," he added.
Modi accused the opposition of dishonoring the Constitution and the legacy of B R Ambedkar by advocating for religion-based reservations in various sectors, including government jobs and education.
He claimed the opposition's plans to allocate reservation to Muslims at the expense of Dalits and other marginalized groups were part of a conspiracy to divide the country on religious lines.
Turning to corruption, Modi labeled the Congress as the "mother of corruption" with a "double PhD in corruption." He criticized the AAP, calling it a "thoroughly dishonest" party that has allied with the Congress. "They pretend to fight each other in Punjab but collaborate in Delhi," Modi remarked.
Modi accused the AAP of learning corrupt practices from the Congress, alleging that the party has been corrupt since its inception. He also blamed the AAP for worsening the drug problem in Punjab, citing the Delhi liquor scam and rampant illegal mining as evidence of their corruption.
Modi claimed the Congress and INDI alliance's politics of self-interest have harmed the country, citing their opposition to the Ram Temple and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as examples of appeasement politics.
Looking forward to a potential third term, Modi emphasized his commitment to the welfare of the poor, inspired by Guru Ravidas. He highlighted the benefits of government schemes being distributed without discrimination and promised a detailed roadmap for the next 125 days after the election.
He reiterated his belief that "the 21st century belongs to India," emphasizing the importance of a strong, decisive government. "A 'damdar' (strong) government teaches lessons to enemies, ensures self-reliance, and brings prosperity," he concluded, drawing on the martial spirit of Punjab.
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