2024 polls a battle against ‘Manuwadi’ ideology, says Kharge  

Mallikarjun Kharge underscored that the 2024 Lok Sabha polls were not solely a confrontation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday underscored that the 2024 Lok Sabha polls were not solely a confrontation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but rather a battle against the ‘Manuwadi’ ideology entrenched within the ruling dispensation.

Speaking at a poll rally for Congress’ Nagpur Lok Sabha candidate Vikas Thakre, who faces BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Mr. Kharge reiterated the party’s commitment to safeguarding Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution, which upholds the rights of 140 crore Indians.

Highlighting Mr. Thakre’s grassroots origins, the 81-year-old leader said that he was chosen not for his high profile, but for his dedication to combating the Manuwadi ideology, rooted in the Manusmriti. “Mr. Thakre is not a high-profile candidate but a ground-level worker. He has been selected to defeat Manuwadi ideology. The 2024 Lok Sabha polls is not a fight against Mr. Modi or Mr. Gadkari but against Manuwadi ideology,” he said.

The Congress president warned of dire consequences should the RSS-BJP alliance prevail, alleging that they would dismantle the Constitution, leading to a cessation of future elections and lamented the BJP’s attempts to capitalise on Ram Temple and Babasaheb Ambedkar, despite their historical neglect of these icons and the national flag.

“The Congress worked for the country’s freedom but now Mr. Modi asks what the party has done in the past 70 years. The RSS did nothing during the freedom struggle but now they come asking for votes in the name of Ram Temple and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Leave alone a photo of Ambedkar, these people did not even keep the national flag in their offices,” Mr. Kharge said.

He criticised Mr. Modi’s administration for its economic performance, contrasting the GDP growth rates under the UPA rule with those under Mr. Modi. He accused the BJP of harbouring corrupt leaders and criticised their selective exoneration process within the party. Asserting the significance of voting rights, Mr. Kharge attributed their existence to the tireless efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Dr. Ambedkar.

He reiterated their party’s commitment to an all-inclusive manifesto, aimed at uplifting the marginalised sections of society.