Aakhir Tak – In Shorts
- Mallikarjun Kharge accused PM Modi of making ‘blank Constitution’ remarks.
- Kharge vowed to conduct a caste census if MVA is elected in upcoming assembly elections.
- He announced plans to raise the reservation cap beyond 50% in Maharashtra.
- Kharge sharply criticized BJP’s divisive slogan.
- MVA’s manifesto includes key promises for farmers, youth, and women.
Aakhir Tak – In Depth
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge launched a strong attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday for his remarks about Rahul Gandhi displaying a ‘blank Constitution’ at a recent event. Speaking at the launch of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) poll manifesto for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Kharge labeled Modi as “the king of lies.”
Kharge stated, “Modi claimed that this red book is an ‘urban Naxalite’ book and a piece of Marxist literature. Yet, in 2017, he himself presented the same book to then-President Ram Nath Kovind, even stating it had blank pages.”
In response to the BJP’s slogan “batenge toh katenge” (If divided, we perish), Kharge questioned its usage. “Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives to keep India united. This slogan is straight from Yogi Ji. Modi Ji says, ‘ek hain toh safe hain’ (if we are united, we are safe). I don’t know which slogan will work, but you belong to the group that killed the very person who gave us independence,” he added.
Listing the MVA’s election promises for Maharashtra, Kharge pledged to conduct a caste census if the opposition alliance wins the upcoming Assembly polls. “We will conduct a caste census in Maharashtra and increase the reservation ceiling beyond the current 50 percent, similar to Tamil Nadu. This census is not aimed at dividing people, but to understand the status of various communities to ensure they receive more benefits,” he said at a press conference in Mumbai.
The MVA’s manifesto outlines five key promises focusing on sectors like agriculture, rural and urban development, and health. “We have five pillars for Maharashtra’s progress and development. Our guarantees will uplift families, offering relief of around Rs 3.5 lakh per year for each family,” Kharge explained.
Key promises include increasing the Mahalakshmi Yojna to provide Rs 3,000 per month to women, up from Rs 1,500 under the existing Ladki Behna Yojana. The Mahayuti will further increase it to Rs 2,100 once in power. The manifesto also includes a health insurance scheme with coverage of Rs 25 lakh, similar to the one implemented by the former Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan. Additionally, free medicine will be provided to citizens.
Farmers will benefit from a loan waiver of up to Rs 3 lakh, with an additional Rs 50,000 for those who repay their loans on time. The MVA has also promised Rs 4,000 per month to unemployed youth holding a graduate or diploma qualification. Women will receive free bus travel and Rs 1,00,000 upon reaching 18 years of age. The MVA also plans to initiate the recruitment of 250,000 positions in the state government within the first 100 days of its governance.
