PM should focus on development issues, instead of ‘Hindu-Muslim’: Kharge

LUCKNOW: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk about development matters rather than other issues in his campaign speeches, and said “mutton-chicken”, “Hindu-Muslim” are his words and not ours.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Modi in an interview to News 18 said he won’t be fit for public life if he starts playing the Hindu-Muslim card.

“Why is the PM not seeking votes on the work he did in the last 10 years,” he said at a joint press conference with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav here.

On PM Modi’s remarks that he has never discriminated between Hindu and Muslim, Kharge responded, “Had the prime minister not said mutton, beef, chicken, fish and mangalsutra. These words are not mine but his (PM’s).

“I am saying that leave these things, tell people about the work you did and seek votes on its behalf. They talk of mutton-chicken not us,” Kharge said.

The Congress chief asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc is in a strong position after four phases of Lok Sabha polls and that the people of the country are prepared to bid farewell to Prime Minister Modi.

“Four rounds of polling have been completed in the country. The INDIA bloc is in a very strong position. I can say with full confidence that the people of the country have prepared to bid farewell to Narendra Modi. INDIA bloc is going to form the new government on June 4,” he said.

The SP chief claimed the alliance will win 79 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

“INDIA bloc will win 79 seats in Uttar Pradesh. It is in contest only on just one seat ‘Kyoto’,” Yadav said referring to the PM’s parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.

The PM and the BJP have earlier stated that they will develop Varanasi like Kyoto, a picturesque city in Japan.

Kharge also claimed that the BJP will change the Constitution if it comes to power again.

“These people are trying to change the Constitution. RSS leader Mohan Bhagawat said it first. It was said in Karnataka that two third majority is needed to change the Constitution.

In Uttar Pradesh, so many from the BJP have talked of changing the Constitution,” Kharge said.

He asked why PM Modi has not taken any action against those who talk of changing the Constitution.

“I am surprised that Modi remains quiet on this. You talk of strength and 56 inch chest, why don’t you scare them, expel them from the party. One should not say such things against the Constitution,” he added.