Mallikarjun Kharge terms Modi government ‘minority’, calls BJP ‘poisonous’

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge terms Narendra Modi government ‘minority and describes BJP ‘poisonous,’; launches MVA’s Maharashtra Assemblye elections campaign

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday (August 20, 2024) launched a trenchant attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government stating that the current dispensation is a ‘minority’ government that heavily relies on the support of allies, particularly Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar’s JD(U).

He described the BJP as ‘poisonous,’ urging people to avoid it.

“The Modi-led dispensation is a minority government; it can’t function without JD(U), TDP support. They’re the two legs of this government,” he said, speaking at a ‘Sadbhavana Diwas’ event in Mumbai to mark the 80th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and officially kicking off campaign for the coming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The event saw the presence of its key allies from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar of the NCP (SP).

The 82-year-old leader said that if the MVA was voted back to power, Maharashtra would be governed by its people, not by Prime Minister Modi from Delhi. He said the battle to protect the Constitution was ongoing and urged voters to strengthen the Opposition by supporting it in State elections.

The Congress chief said the Opposition INDIA alliance dealt a significant blow to the BJP in the recent Lok Sabha elections, limiting its seat count to 240 — far short of the 272 needed for a majority and a sharp decline from the 303 seats it won in 2019. “INDIA alliance gave a befitting reply to BJP, brought down its Lok Sabha seat tally to 240. BJP is like ‘poison’, no need to taste it,” he said.

Mr. Kharge highlighted the difference between the Congress era under Rajiv Gandhi and the current BJP rule. “Rajiv Gandhi led the Congress to victory in 415 seats without arrogance. However, Mr. Modi, after setting a target of crossing 400 seats, was dealt a blow by Maharashtra voters. You stopped Modi from becoming a dictator. In the Assembly elections, it is your responsibility to bring us back to power in the State,” he stated. He accused the BJP of dismantling opposition-led governments in various States and undermining democracy by encouraging defections.

Mr. Kharge pointed out that without a strong presence of MLAs in State Assemblies, the Opposition would struggle to elect MPs to the Rajya Sabha. He said there was a need for Opposition strength in both Houses of Parliament. “Today the government cancelled the vacancy of lateral entry, this is your victory,” he said.