PM Modi slams Congress leader’s ‘vote jihad’ remark, points at party’s ‘dangerous intentions’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seized on Congress leader Salman Khurshid’s niece Maria Alam’s “vote jihad” remark on Thursday, claiming it had laid bare the INDIA alliance’s strategy for the ongoing Lok Sabha election.

“In the present Lok Sabha election, the INDI alliance has urged Muslims to engage in Vote Jihad. This statement did not come from someone who lacks education; it emerged from an educated family, not from a child emerging from a Madrasa,” Prime Minister Modi asserted during a campaign rally in Gujarat’s Anand.

Modi emphasized that no Congress leader had publicly opposed Alam’s statement to date.

“They have a tacit understanding. On one hand, the INDI alliance is attempting to fragment SC, ST, OBC, and general categories, while on the other, they are endorsing the slogan of Vote Jihad. This demonstrates the dangerous intentions behind their actions,” the Prime Minister stated.

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The Prime Minister’s response followed Maria Alam’s address at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad, where she encouraged Muslim voters to launch a “vote jihad” to oust the government. Alam, a Samajwadi Party leader, was campaigning for party candidate Naval Kishore Shakya.

In reaction to his niece’s statement, veteran Congress leader Khurshid told the media that he refrains from using certain words in public speeches because they are often misinterpreted.

“Jihad signifies fighting against a situation. Her intention was likely to conduct vote jihad to safeguard the Constitution,” Khurshid explained.

A senior police officer, Vikas Kumar, informed news agency ANI that a case had been filed against Maria Alam Khan for promoting enmity between classes, among other violations of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act. A similar case was lodged against Khurshid, who had been the chief guest at the gathering.

The Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat is being contested by the Samajwadi Party as part of its seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. The seat, previously represented twice by Khurshid, is currently held by the BJP. Sitting MP Mukesh Rajput, victorious in the 2014 and 2019 polls, has been renominated. Polling in Farrukhabad is scheduled for May 13.

Additionally, in a blistering attack on the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, the Prime Minister alleged that the opposition party is in cahoots with Pakistan. “The feeble Congress government used to provide dossiers to the terror masterminds.

Conversely, Modi’s resolute administration eliminates terrorists on their home turf. It’s a strange coincidence; presently, the Congress is dwindling in India. As Congress fades, Pakistan laments. Pakistani leaders now offer ‘dua’ for Congress. Pakistan is keen to see the ‘shehzaada’ (prince) become Prime Minister, and the Congress already adores Pakistan. This alliance between Pakistan and Congress has been fully exposed,” Modi concluded.

The Prime Minister’s comments were prompted by a video shared by former Pakistani minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain featuring Rahul Gandhi with the caption, “Rahul on fire.”