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The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections have become a fierce battleground, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching his campaign with a scathing attack on the Congress party. He accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of attempting to exploit caste divisions for political gain, specifically targeting the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities.
Addressing a rally in Dhule, Maharashtra, Modi called for unity among all castes and classes, urging SC, ST, and OBC communities to be wary of the Congress's alleged strategy. He claimed that the Congress's agenda is to pit one caste against another, hindering the progress and recognition of these communities. He emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “‘Ek Hain to Safe Hain’ (We are safe if we are united).”
Modi further alleged that the Congress party has historically opposed reservation policies aimed at SCs, STs, and OBCs. He highlighted the stance of prominent Congress leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi, claiming that they consistently opposed these reservation measures. He accused the Congress of engaging in a dangerous game of divisive politics, motivated by their inability to see these communities progress.
These accusations come amidst the Congress's own campaign, which asserts that the BJP intends to dismantle the Indian Constitution by abolishing reservations. This argument played a role in the Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP fell short of a majority and required support from other parties to form a government. The BJP's performance in Maharashtra was particularly dismal, winning only 9 out of 28 seats contested in the previous election.
The current election sees the BJP contesting 152 seats in Maharashtra as part of the Mahayuti alliance. Modi's campaign includes several rallies across the state, aiming to mobilize support for the BJP ahead of the November 20 polls. His address in Dhule was followed by another rally in Nashik, and he is expected to address a total of 14 rallies over the next five days.
The accusations and counter-accusations between the BJP and Congress reflect the complex political landscape in India. Both parties are actively trying to secure support from various communities, with reservations being a significant point of contention. The upcoming Maharashtra elections will be a crucial test for both parties as they seek to gain a foothold in this key state.
Source: ‘Ek Hain to Safe Hain’: PM Modi turns tables on Congress on quota issue in Maharashtra