Congress leader Rashid Alvi has come forward to support the stance taken by the Manmohan Singh government regarding the prioritization of minorities, particularly Muslims, for developmental benefits. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Alvi addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the redistribution of wealth to minorities, dismissing it as unnecessary noise.
According to Alvi, the Manmohan Singh government's principle was rooted in the belief that those at the bottom of society should have primary access to the nation's resources. He emphasized that Indian Muslims, as one of the most disadvantaged communities, rightfully deserve attention in this regard.
The recent clash between the BJP and the Congress erupted when Prime Minister Narendra Modi referenced a statement made by Manmohan Singh in 2006, where Singh advocated for minorities, especially Muslims, to have priority access to national resources. While the Congress labeled Modi's speech as divisive and lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, the BJP argued that Modi's remarks were in response to Rahul Gandhi's call for wealth redistribution post the elections.
Alvi stressed the importance of elevating the backward Muslim community to bring them into the mainstream, asserting that inclusive growth cannot be achieved without such efforts. He accused the BJP of favoring the affluent and powerful while neglecting the marginalized and underprivileged segments of society.
Regarding the post-election scenario, Alvi acknowledged that if the BJP secures victory, Narendra Modi will likely continue as Prime Minister. However, he ridiculed the BJP's ambitious "400-paar" target, suggesting that even their own members doubt its achievability.
