INDIA bloc will secure a majority in the Lok Sabha elections, says Sachin Pilot
The Hindu
Sachin Pilot asserts BJP cannot monopolize Lord Ram, INDIA bloc to focus on people's issues in Lok Sabha polls.
Lord Ram belongs to everyone, and the BJP cannot have a monopoly over him or religion no matter how hard it tries, says senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot, asserting that the INDIA bloc will fight the Lok Sabha polls on people's issues rather than emotive ones.
The Congress general secretary also exuded confidence that the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will get a majority and form the next government.
In an interview with PTI at the news agency's headquarters in New Delhi, the Congress general secretary said the NDA's "400 paar" slogan "smacks of arrogance". "It is very well for the BJP to talk about a blueprint of its first 100 days of returning to power for a third term but how about giving a report card of the last 10 years?," he asked while calling on the Election Commission of India to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.
On the issue of Income Tax department notices to the Congress, facing a demand of over Rs 3,500 crore, he said the “coercive action” taken by the government in freezing the accounts of the principal opposition party is unprecedented. It does not augur well for a healthy democracy, he added.
Despite all that is happening, Mr. Pilot said, he has faith in the voters and the Congress’ ideology and emphasised that the INDIA bloc will secure a majority when the election results are counted on June 4.
The former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister claimed the BJP was on the "backfoot" and the Congress was primed to do "exceedingly well" in the State this time after drawing a blank in the last two Lok Sabha elections.
Asked about claims that a Ram temple wave was sweeping north India and the INDIA bloc's plans to overcome it, Mr. Pilot said, "I think this election will be fought on issues that are extremely relevant to our present and future. Recent efforts to systematically undermine constitutional institutions will be one such issue. We want to bring to the fore the problems faced by the youth, women, and farmers, we want to give legal guarantee for MSP, these are the things that matter to the average voter."