Raipur: All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjuna Kharge made a significant announcement from the soil of Chhattisgarh. He declared that if the Congress party forms the government at the Centre, it will ensure that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is legally guaranteed. Kharge conveyed this message during a public meeting held in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district as part of the party’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on Tuesday.
Addressing a gathering in Ambikapur, the headquarters of North Chhattisgarh’s Surguja division, Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of replicating Congress party’s promises as “Modi Guarantee”. He emphasized that the Congress party’s pledge to secure MSP through legal means will be a reality if they come to power. Referring to the green revolution spearheaded by the Congress with the support of Swaminathan, Kharge highlighted the party’s commitment to ensuring MSP through legal channels.
Kharge drew attention to the disparity between the Congress’ genuine guarantees and the BJP’s appropriation of these promises as Modi’s initiatives. He urged the public not to believe in Modi’s assurances, criticizing the Prime Minister for failing to fulfill promises related to job creation, black money retrieval, and doubling farmers’ income.
Furthermore, Kharge accused Modi of spreading falsehoods, labeling him as the ‘leader of lies’. He condemned the Prime Minister’s alleged mistreatment of Dalits and tribals, citing alarming rates of atrocities against them. Kharge also criticized the BJP government in Chhattisgarh for permitting the felling of 15,000 trees in the Hasdeo forests and the subsequent suspension of Congress MLAs who raised objections in the Assembly.
Highlighting the differences between the UPA and NDA governments, Kharge underscored the UPA’s waiver of ₹72,000 crore in farm loans compared to the Modi government’s lack of action in this regard. He criticized the Modi government’s allocation of ₹40,000 crore to private crop insurance companies, alleging neglect of poor farmers.
Kharge also addressed the issue of the Prime Minister’s caste status, questioning its timing coinciding with the formation of the BJP government in Gujarat. He credited Sonia Gandhi for the Food Security Act, accusing Modi of appropriating credit for providing ration to 80 crore Indians by a nominal increase of ₹2.
Responding to PM Modi’s criticism of the Gandhi family and allegations of nepotism, Kharge clarified that Rajiv Gandhi was the last prime minister from the Gandhi family. He pointed out the substantial increase in national debt under the NDA rule compared to the UPA era.
Finally, Kharge condemned the BJP government’s use of concrete walls and nails to obstruct farmers from reaching Delhi during the ongoing protests. He questioned the erosion of democracy when farmers are subjected to such suppression.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated the party’s commitment to a caste-based census during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, asserting that this census is crucial for addressing social and economic injustices and bringing revolutionary changes to the nation.
