Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a scathing critique of the Congress party during a rally in Madhya Pradesh. He reasserted his previous “85% commission” allegation, levying charges of corruption against the party. Modi also took a jibe at Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing the party of maintaining a “remote control” over its leaders. He suggested that the Congress had previously controlled former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and was now attempting to do the same with the party president.
During the rally, Prime Minister Modi made a pledge to elevate the country’s economy to third place, provided he secures a third term in office.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to be cautious of the Congress, describing it as a party that seizes money belonging to the poor, engages in scams, and divides society for political gains. He remarked on the influence of the “remote control” within the Congress and criticized its leader for using derogatory language when the remote control is active.
In response to the Congress party’s intention to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding alleged violations of the model code of conduct, Prime Minister Modi expressed his determination to provide free ration to the poor. He pledged not to abandon this work for the benefit of underprivileged citizens, even if he were to face any punishment.
This statement followed allegations by Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, who accused Prime Minister Modi of violating the model code of conduct by announcing the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) without the approval of the Union Cabinet. The PMGKAY, launched in 2020, was set to expire in December 2023 but has been extended until December 2028.
Prime Minister Modi’s announcement during the rally aimed at extending free ration to the poor elicited concerns from the Congress party, which subsequently threatened to approach the ECI over the matter.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the poor, seemingly dismissing concerns about model code of conduct violations.
The political clash over corruption and campaign violations underscores the ongoing contention between the two major political parties in India.