‘Do Muslims alone have kids? I have 5’: Mallikarjun Kharge slams PM Modi for mangalsutra jibe

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday asserted at an election rally in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district that his party was poised to secure a majority in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He attributed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on topics like “mangalsutra and Muslims” in his speeches to this perceived electoral threat.

He said, “We will secure a majority, and that’s why Modi keeps harping on about mangalsutras and Muslims. He claims we’ll snatch your wealth to give it to those with more children. But do only Muslims have kids? I have five children myself.”

He recounted a personal tragedy where his mother and uncle perished in a fire at their home in 1948, emphasizing the struggles of poor families in raising children. Kharge argued against targeting Muslims, asserting their Indian identity and urging unity in nation-building efforts.

Mallikarjun Kharge defended the Congress’s record, highlighting their history of governance spanning 55 years without resorting to divisive tactics or misusing government agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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LIVE: Congress President Shri @kharge addresses the public in Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh. https://t.co/ZIDCzdHHBX

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 30, 2024

He credited former Congress president Sonia Gandhi for enacting progressive measures such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Food Security Act to alleviate poverty and hunger.

In contrast, Mallikarjun Kharge criticised Modi’s leadership, claiming that he paled in comparison to iconic former Prime Ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Rajiv Gandhi.

Also Read: After mangalsutra, Modi claims Congress will take away home, jewellery

He pointed out the significant contributions of past leaders in industrial development and public welfare initiatives, contrasting them with what he described as Modi’s empty promises (jumlas).

Kharge’s speech aimed to rally support for the Congress party while challenging Modi’s narrative and defending the party’s legacy of inclusive governance and social welfare initiatives. His remarks highlighted key policy achievements and sought to draw a sharp contrast between the Congress’s vision for the country and the BJP’s campaign strategies.