Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has fired back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national broadcast, branding it a political spectacle riddled with lies and a clear violation of electoral norms. What was billed as a message to the nation devolved into an attack on rivals, prompting Kharge’s sharp rebuke on social media.
‘A dejected PM with nothing concrete to boast after 12 years misused his official address for electioneering,’ Kharge posted on X. With the Model Code of Conduct active, this misuse of government resources to assault opponents undermines India’s democratic fabric and constitutional values, he charged.
The speech’s content spoke volumes: 59 mentions of Congress versus scant nods to women, exposing BJP’s misplaced focus. Kharge reaffirmed Congress’s commitment to women, from passing the women’s reservation bill in Rajya Sabha in 2010—preventing its lapse—to supporting the 2023 version, notified on April 16. He called for swift 33% quota implementation in existing seats, decoupling it from delimitation exercises.
Kharge’s roll call of Congress triumphs painted a stark contrast: pioneering agricultural revolutions, space and nuclear advancements, economic reforms of 1991, transparency laws like RTI and RTE, employment guarantees via MGNREGA, and food security. On women, Congress delivered Hindu Code reforms, anti-harassment measures, domestic violence protections, and justice system overhauls.
BJP’s record, however, is damning, Kharge alleged—shielding accused in high-profile atrocities like Hathras, Unnao, wrestlers’ agitation in Haryana, Bilkis Bano case, and internal rape scandals. Backed by NCRB statistics, he noted surging crimes against women in BJP states. After more than 12 years at the helm, soaring prices, crumbling economy, and citizen hardships persist without solutions, Kharge warned, urging a course correction at the polls.
