Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that both Modi and Trump were responsible for hardships faced by people. (ANI photo)
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “destroying” the country and US President Donald Trump of “destroying” the world, while launching a broad attack on the BJP over issues ranging from inflation and unemployment to the NEET examination controversy and alleged financial irregularities linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.Addressing a mega convention in Karnataka where senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad assumed charge as the state Congress president, Kharge claimed that both Modi and Trump were responsible for hardships faced by people.”Modi is destroying the country. Trump is destroying the whole world. Both of them call themselves good friends. Both good friends—you are bringing a bad name to the country, and people are suffering because of both of you,” Kharge claimed as per news agency PTI.Blaming Trump for rising fuel prices, he criticised the Modi government’s foreign policy, saying India had moved away from its long-standing non-aligned approach.”India followed a policy of non-alignment since Nehru’s time and maintained good relations with all countries. But that policy has been abandoned, and Modi, by going around calling everyone his friend and hugging them, has brought us to this situation.” Urging Congress workers to strengthen the party’s outreach, Kharge said they should educate people about issues affecting the country and help them understand which government would best serve their interests.”We (Congress workers) should keep in mind which government will be beneficial for the country and its people. We should inform people about it. Go to the people and make them understand what is happening,” he said.Kharge also revived allegations of financial irregularities linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, claiming that donations collected over the years for the temple’s construction had not been properly accounted for.Referring to contributions made during and after L K Advani’s Rath Yatra, he alleged that reports pointed to large-scale misuse of funds.”There are reports that about Rs 5,000 crore has been misused. The priests are robbing the money. Ram naam japna, paraya maal apna (chant the name of Ram and make someone else’s property your own). A loot has happened in the name of Ram. The temple was constructed to loot crores of rupees,” he alleged.Questioning the handling of temple donations, Kharge called for an investigation into where the money was going and whether those responsible should be held accountable.”The money from the donation boxes of temples is going somewhere. Whether his own people are behind it or someone else, it should be investigated,” he said.Responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s appeal to wait for a Special Investigation Team probe into allegations of missing donations and financial irregularities at the temple, Kharge questioned the need for a delay.”Why do you need 15 days when God is with you, the temple is with you, Modi is with you, and you are the CM? Put those who have looted in the name of Ram behind bars.”He further accused the BJP of exploiting religion for political gains while failing to uphold religious values.”People voted in the name of God, the Ram Mandir and religion. But are these people protecting religion? There is loot in the name of religion, and the poor are being oppressed in the name of religion,” he added.Turning to education, Kharge criticised the Centre over the conduct of the NEET examination and reiterated Rahul Gandhi’s demand that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign.”They are unable to conduct examinations properly. Students and parents have been betrayed by the BJP and Pradhan. He has to resign,” he said.Kharge suggested that Karnataka’s CET model could be studied and proposed that Class 12 or PUC marks should also be factored into admissions alongside NEET scores.The Congress chief also targeted the Modi government over inflation and unemployment, alleging that it was focused on concentrating power and wealth among a select few while neglecting the needs of ordinary citizens.”This Modi government will fall one day, wait and watch. A big trouble is coming for Modi, wait and watch. They are not doing anything properly to help people, whether workers, women or students,” he claimed.He further alleged that changes to the education system and curriculum were being carried out in a way that misled students and promoted ideological influence in academic institutions.”They are doing it to retain political control,” he said, alleging that individuals linked to the RSS were being appointed to key educational positions.Reaffirming the Congress party’s commitment to constitutional values, Kharge said the Constitution remained crucial for protecting the rights of disadvantaged and marginalised sections of society.”The Constitution is needed for the poor and the downtrodden to protect their rights,” he added. Go to Source
