The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): On the final day of campaigning for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed confidence that the INDIA alliance would form the next government. Addressing the media in Delhi, Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making numerous references to temples, mosques, and societal divisions during his campaign, highlighting that terms like “Muslim” and “minority” were mentioned 224 times without any intervention from the Election Commission.
Kharge emphasized the alliance’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic values, stating, “We are confident that on 4 June 2024, the people of the country will give a mandate to a new alternative government. The INDIA alliance will form the government with a full majority, and we will move forward taking everyone along.”
He also attacked PM Modi for portraying himself as a divine incarnation, a stance supported by BJP leaders. Citing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Kharge warned against idol worship in politics, recalling Ambedkar’s words: “Devotion in religion may be the path to salvation of the soul, but devotion or hero worship in politics is a sure path to degradation which ultimately ends in dictatorship.”
Kharge used Ambedkar’s cautionary advice to underscore the importance of a government that upholds democratic principles. The previous day, Congress had accused Modi of attempting to bypass the silence period restrictions with his 48-hour meditation trip in Kanyakumari, urging the Election Commission to prevent its broadcast as it would violate the model code of conduct.