Maharashtra Polls: PM Modi Slams Congress, Accuses It of Divisive Politics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party during a rally in Chimur, Maharashtra, claiming that the party’s ‘shahi parivar’ (royal family) believes it was “born to rule India.” Modi, currently campaigning in poll-bound Maharashtra and Jharkhand, accused the Congress of perpetuating caste and class-based politics since India’s independence, which he argued has hindered the progress of Dalits, backward classes, and Adivasis.

Allegations on Congress’ Stance on Reservations

In his remarks, Modi criticized Congress for its historic opposition to reservations for marginalized communities. He referred to a controversial advertisement from the 1980s, released under the leadership of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, which questioned the special rights afforded to Dalits, backward classes, and Adivasis. Modi said this advertisement had resurfaced on social media, demonstrating Congress’s long-standing discomfort with reservations.

Modi warned that Congress’s tactics aimed to divide tribal communities and undermine their identity and unity. He urged voters not to fall for these divisive strategies, asserting, “Unity is our strength, and if unity falters, Congress will undermine your reservation rights.”

Criticism of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Alliance

The Prime Minister also took aim at the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, calling it the “biggest player of corruption” in Maharashtra. Modi claimed that the MVA was obstructing the state’s progress and hindering its rapid development. “The Aghadi has practically earned a PhD in obstructing development,” he said, adding that Congress holds a “double PhD” in this regard. He described the MVA as the foremost players in corruption and a significant barrier to Maharashtra’s advancement.

On the issue of Kashmir, Modi reiterated his government’s stance on the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that it took seven decades to unify India under a single Constitution, and he challenged Congress and its allies, asking, “Will you allow Congress and its allies to restore Article 370 in Kashmir?” He stressed that the removal of Article 370 had ended separatism and terrorism in the region and fully integrated Kashmir into India’s constitutional framework.