New Delhi: The Congress party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 has stirred controversy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the party of pursuing a hidden appeasement policy. In his speeches, PM Modi has highlighted what he perceives as Congress's attempt to appease the Muslim community.
Despite Congress's repeated assertions that its manifesto does not mention any religion, BJP leader Amit Malviya has exposed what he calls Congress's "game" with words. Malviya shared a screenshot of a point from the Congress manifesto which reads, “We will ensure that minorities get the opportunity of fair participation without any discrimination in education, health, government contracts, skill development, sports and cultural development.”
While providing opportunities in education and health seems reasonable, the mention of "government contracts" has raised eyebrows. Malviya questions how the Congress government plans to ensure fair participation for the Muslim community in government contracts, as public works contracts are governed by various rules and guidelines which do not allow for religious discrimination.
Amit Malviya took to social media to express his concerns, asking, “How will Congress ensure that minorities (read Muslims) get their fair share in ‘public works contracts’? Will there now be a religious quota along with the technical and financial bids? Will qualified bidders be ignored in favor of Muslims?”
He further questioned whether Hindus would have to become minorities to secure public contracts, even if they are qualified. Malviya accused Congress of laying the foundation for a "tender scam."
According to Malviya, Congress not only aims to redistribute the property of SC/ST/OBC and Hindu women, including their small savings, gold, and mangalsutra, among minorities but also seeks to deprive people of opportunities to earn a livelihood with dignity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been vocal about divisive issues raised in the Congress manifesto, including inheritance tax, gold, and Mangalsutra. The BJP seems to be capitalizing on the revelations about the Congress manifesto, stirring public discourse and putting pressure on the opposition party.
DK Shivakumar Slams Centre for "Inadequate" Relief Funds
ED Summons AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan Again in Money Laundering Case
Arvinder Singh Lovely Resigns as Delhi Congress President Over AAP Alliance Disagreement