Ahead of the upcoming elections, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the opposition candidates.
#WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "We are not only fighting with the BJP… In elections, the BJP has fielded four candidates against us. One is their own, one is from ED, one from CBI and one from the Income Tax… We have to win against all… pic.twitter.com/bbcIx3CVom
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023
Addressing the gathering, Congress national president, “In the upcoming elections, we are not only facing opposition from the BJP. The BJP has nominated four candidates against us. One of them is their own candidate, another is from the ED, one is from the CBI, and the last one is from the Income Tax department. We have the task of winning against all of these candidates.”
Kharge said that it seems that they have the power to release the CBI or ED whenever it suits them. “We have noticed that we are often subjected to raids whenever we have important meetings or sessions,” he stated.
“The Congress party is known for its inclusivity, representing people from all communities. In contrast, the BJP seems to maintain a strict distance from anyone who does not align with their ideology. An instance of this exclusion is evident in the fact that the BJP did not extend an invitation to President Droupadi Murmu for the inauguration of the New Parliament building,” he asserted.
#WATCH | Jaipur. Rajasthan: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "…(Congress) has people from all communities. BJP doesn't even let anyone come near. They did not even invite President Droupadi Murmu to the inauguration of the New (Parliament) building… You (BJP)… pic.twitter.com/59OsbodM1b
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023
Alleging that the BJP has not invited the President of India, Droupadi Murmu and Ex-President Ram Nath Kovind on the inaugural ceremony of the new Parliament building, Kharge said that because they are ‘untouchables’ the invitation is not extended to them. “Had the foundation been laid by an ‘untouchable’, they would have needed to wash it with ‘Gangajal’,” he added.
“It’s noteworthy that the BJP invited individuals from the cinema industry for the event, but they failed to extend the same courtesy to President Murmu. This omission can be seen as an insult to the President. This isn’t an isolated incident; even during the foundation laying ceremony of the New Parliament Building, the then-President Ramnath Kovind was not invited,” he claimed.
‘This exclusionary behavior is concerning and sends the wrong message about the BJP’s approach to inclusivity and diversity. It’s essential for political leaders to respect and acknowledge the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of their caste or community,” he further added.
