After mangalsutra, Modi claims Congress will take away home, jewellery

Amidst escalating controversy over his recent remarks in Rajasthan’s Banswara, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his accusations against the Congress, alleging their intention to seize citizens’ property.

Speaking at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh, he criticised members of the INDIA Opposition bloc, accusing them of losing faith in the nation’s future and prioritising personal interests over national development.

Expressing concerns over the Congress’s manifesto, PM Modi highlighted their purported agenda to scrutinise individuals’ income and property. He specifically pointed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about investigating wealth distribution and implied redistribution of property.

While referring to the Congress manifesto’s proposal for a nationwide socio-economic and caste census, PM Modi reiterated his stance against what he perceives as a potential infringement on private property rights.

The Congress manifesto indeed emphasises the importance of addressing socio-economic disparities and discrimination based on caste. It proposes conducting a comprehensive census to gather data on various social groups’ conditions and strengthen affirmative action policies. However, the manifesto does not explicitly advocate for the redistribution of private property, as alleged by PM Modi.

Also Read: ‘Won’t even leave your mangalsutra’ jibe at Congress by Modi sparks row

PM Modi further reiterated his ‘mangalsutra’ analogy, suggesting that the Congress intends to change laws to seize women’s jewellery and monitor individuals’ financial assets. He cautioned against what he described as a Maoist or Communist mindset of property redistribution, attributing it to the Congress and its allies in the INDIA bloc.

These remarks by PM Modi come in the wake of a previous controversy sparked by his comments in Rajasthan, where he accused the Congress of planning to conduct a survey and redistribute private property. The reference to Muslims in his speech drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, with the Congress delegating a meeting with the Election Commission of India to demand strict action against PM Modi for his alleged violation of the model code of conduct.

In response to PM Modi’s statements, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge condemned them as hate speech aimed at diverting public attention. He reiterated the Congress’s commitment to equality and justice for all, dismissing PM Modi’s accusations as baseless attempts to mislead the public.

The ongoing exchange underscores the heightened political tensions ahead of the upcoming elections, with both sides engaging in aggressive rhetoric to sway public opinion in their favor. As the electoral campaign intensifies, such controversies are likely to continue dominating the political discourse, further polarizing the electorate.