BJP attempting to omit secularism, socialism from Constitution: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday, 11 July, alleged that the BJP-led central government was attempting to omit secularism and socialism from the Constitution.

Addressing the party’s 'Samvidhan Bachao Samavesh' in Bhubaneswar, Kharge also said that dalits, tribals and youths of the country will have to learn to fight for their rights under the BJP rule.

“The BJP government at the Centre is attempting to omit secularism and socialism from our Constitution,” he asserted.

Kharge also claimed that BJP supporters were attacking dalits and government officers in Odisha.

“The BJP will wipe out dalits, tribals and youths unless they learn to fight for their rights,” the Congress chief alleged.

Hitting out at the Centre, he also said that the Congress government set up 160 PSUs in India, while the BJP dispensation “privatised 23 of those”.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP of making attempts to "hijack upcoming elections in Bihar, as it did in Maharashtra".

Addressing the rally, he said the INDIA bloc parties have decided to prevent the BJP from "hijacking" the Bihar assembly polls.

“Like Maharashtra, attempts are being made to hijack the elections in Bihar. The BJP is attacking our Constitution across the country,” Rahul Gandhi alleged.

During an INDIA bloc meeting held on Thursday, it was decided to "prevent the BJP from hijacking the elections in Bihar" where assembly polls are due later this year, he claimed.

He also accused the Election Commission of India of "not doing its duty, but working for the interest of the BJP".

Rahul Gandhi also alleged, “The BJP runs the government for five-six capitalists. It does not work for the common people of the country."

Stating that the “Jal, Jangal, Jamin” belongs to the tribals and will remain for them, Rahul Gandhi claimed that Odisha’s BJP government has not implemented the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.

"Forest right pattas are not provided to the tribals. The Congress has brought the PESA and Tribal Bill. We will enforce these laws and ensure the tribals get their land,” Rahul Gandhi said.