New Delhi, May 21 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed confidence on Tuesday that the INDIA bloc will stop the BJP from securing a majority in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He highlighted a significant shift in public sentiment towards the Congress and its allies, suggesting a strong undercurrent of support for their alliance.
In an interview with PTI, Kharge emphasized that the public is now fighting against the BJP and RSS ideologies, which he accused of spreading “hatred and division” in society. He stated that the people are motivated by the need to save democracy and the Constitution, and are therefore extending their support to the Congress.
Kharge accused the BJP of exploiting emotional issues like the Ram Temple, Hindu-Muslim relations, and India-Pakistan tensions for political gain, claiming that people have now seen through these tactics. “After traveling across the country, we sense a significant undercurrent in our favor. The Congress and our INDIA bloc partners will gain more seats this time, preventing the BJP from securing a majority. I believe the BJP will not be able to form the government,” he asserted.
Kharge noted that the confidence of the alliance stems from the public’s positive response and their growing support for the bloc’s ideology. He described the upcoming Lok Sabha election as crucial for protecting the fundamental rights and freedom of speech and expression of all Indians.
He also pointed to rising discontent over issues like price hikes and unemployment, which he said have become major concerns in these elections. Kharge accused the BJP of failing to fulfill promises such as providing two crore jobs, retrieving black money from abroad, and doubling farmers’ incomes. He claimed the government has resorted to spreading lies and misleading the public, who are now aware of their true intentions.
“The BJP has emotionally manipulated and instigated people, but now they have understood. They repeatedly talk about the Ram Temple, Hindu-Muslim relations, and India-Pakistan tensions. The BJP creates hype and fails to acknowledge the achievements of the Congress in the past. They focus on trivial matters instead of addressing serious issues,” Kharge argued.
On the topic of reservation and the Constitution, Kharge criticized the BJP’s and RSS’s stance. He accused them of attempting to change the Constitution to appoint unqualified individuals aligned with their ideology. He cited the toppling of democratically elected governments in states like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Goa as evidence of the BJP’s disregard for democratic principles.
Kharge stressed the importance of protecting the Constitution and democracy to safeguard everyone’s fundamental rights. He argued that the right to freedom of speech and expression is being curtailed under the current regime, making this election critical for all citizens, from children to the elderly, and from traditional media to social media users.
He also claimed that opposition leaders are being harassed and threatened during the elections, creating an uneven playing field. “Opposition leaders are being threatened, harassed, and imprisoned, preventing them from campaigning. This undemocratic behavior indicates an authoritarian rule being implemented by the BJP,” he concluded
