New Delhi. Congress said on Friday that it had sought votes on the basis of ‘Nyay’ while promoting a positive agenda in its campaign for this Lok Sabha election, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned in the name of ‘Mandir, Mutton, Mangalsutra and Mujra’ and this is the reason that the ‘India’ alliance is going to get a clear and decisive mandate. The party also released a booklet titled ‘Bhaag Modi Bhag’, which mentions the 272 questions that it has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 72 days. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh told reporters that 272 questions were asked to the Prime Minister in 72 days from their side, but not a single question was answered. He said that Congress was successful in getting public support with its positive agenda.
Ramesh said, “The election campaign of the Congress party was very positive. It was the result of ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ that we went to the public with five ‘justices’ and 25 ‘guarantees’. During this yatra, from 23 January to 16 March, the Congress had put 5 justices and 25 guarantees in front of the country. Through this, labour justice, youth justice, farmer justice, share justice, women justice were talked about.” According to him, “Along with this, we have given priority to the protection of the Constitution. This is the reason why the ‘India’ alliance is going to get a clear and decisive mandate on June 4.”
He also raised questions about the working style of the Election Commission during the elections and said, “We made 117 complaints to the Election Commission in 77 days. These complaints were about various violations including the code of conduct. Out of these, 14 complaints were made against Narendra Modi, 8 complaints against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and three complaints against Home Minister Amit Shah. But there are many such complaints on which no action has been taken.” Pawan Khera, head of the media and publicity department of Congress, claimed, “Congress presented its views and campaigned on the basis of justice with the letter ‘N’. Whereas, Narendra Modi and BJP campaigned on the basis of words like temple, mangalsutra, mutton, Muslim, mujra with the letter ‘M’.”
Kheda quipped, “After all this, now the Prime Minister has gone to meditate. The man who distracted people for the entire 10 years is now meditating.” He said, “When we were talking about ‘Nyay’, Narendra Modi was talking about taps and buffalo theft and mutton. Congress’s campaign derailed Narendra Modi’s campaign. He had nothing to say in this election.
Supriya Shrinet, head of Congress’s social media department, said that her party was far ahead of BJP in terms of social media reach. She said that Congress got massive support from the youth through social media platforms.
After the election results, many NDA components will queue up to join the ‘India’ alliance: Congress
The Congress on Friday expressed confidence that the opposition alliance will get a “clear and decisive mandate” in this Lok Sabha election and said several constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will line up to join the “India” alliance after the results are declared on June 4.
Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh took a dig at Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar and said that no one can stop those who want to turn back, but the ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’ (‘India’) alliance will not need Nitish to form the government. Ramesh made this comment in response to a question related to a statement by Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav.
Tejashwi had told reporters on Thursday, “Ever since we said that after June 4, our uncle (Nitish Kumar) can take a big decision to save his party, he has not come out for campaigning. The governor is looking after the administration and is calling the officials for review. JDU and BJP are busy in their respective seats. There is no coordination between them. This difference shows that something big will happen after June 4.”
On being asked about Tejashwi’s statement, Congress General Secretary Ramesh told reporters, “He has an old habit of turning around. I don’t know what he will do on June 4. ‘India Janbandhan’ is going to get the mandate. There will be no need for JDU. The results of Bihar will be surprising. There will be no need for turning around. But those who want to turn around cannot be stopped.” In response to another question, Ramesh said, “Looking at the trends that came after two phases of elections, I had said that ‘India Janbandhan’ is sure to get a decisive mandate.
According to him, this time Congress will perform well in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Haryana.
Ramesh said, “We were wiped out in these states in the last elections, but this time our position is strong… In 2019, there was an emotional issue like Balakot (airstrike). There is no wave this time.” He says that another reason for the confidence of the Congress is that this time the Prime Minister is ‘frustrated’ and he does not seem to be confident. Ramesh said, “I will not give any figures. But I will definitely say that we will get a clear and decisive mandate. Many NDA constituents will stand in line to join ‘India’.”