On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the Congress party intends to reallocate jobs from marginalized communities to those deemed to have “first claim” on resources, without explicitly naming any particular community. Speaking at a rally in Aonla, Bareilly district, Modi warned against a scenario where the employment opportunities of backward or Dalit families would be taken away to favour others. This echoes his earlier statements made in Rajasthan’s Banswara, where he accused the Congress of planning to redistribute wealth, including gold and property, to certain groups, including what he referred to as “infiltrators” and those with larger families.
Modi alluded to a 2006 remark by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, interpreting it as advocating for preferential treatment for Muslims in resource allocation. However, it’s important to note that a clarification from the Prime Minister’s Office at the time suggested that Singh’s statement encompassed all underprivileged sections of society, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, children, and minorities, with a particular focus on Muslims.
Also read: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Says BJP Intends To Eliminate Reservation For Marginalised Communities
The Election Commission has taken notice of the Opposition’s allegations that Modi’s speeches in Banswara were divisive, issuing a notice to BJP president J P Nadda in response to complaints filed by the Congress, CPI, CPI (ML), and civil society groups. The Commission has requested Nadda’s response by Monday.
Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Modi, requesting a meeting to personally explain the party’s manifesto. In his two-page letter, Kharge expressed concern that the Prime Minister may be receiving misinformation from his advisors about the contents of the manifesto, which Kharge claims do not support the allegations being made.
