Rich-poor gap debate gains pace, makes Modi 'alter rhetoric'?

NT Correspondent

New Delhi: The Congress believes that its emphasis on the 'richpoor gap', along with a campaign spotlighting unemployment and rising prices, has rattled the ruling BJP, as indicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's altered rhetoric.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Under Modi government, the gap between rich and poor is at a 100 year high, even more than the British Raj.”

Referring to the tenure of the ruling dispensation, he said, “In last 10 years, Modi ji has worked only for 2-3 of his close friends. All national resources of the country have been sold to these super-rich crony capitalists, including airports, ports, coal mines, power plants, and PSUs, at throwaway prices. Modi’s top 22 rich friends hold wealth equal to 70 crore Indians.”

Talking about the farmers, Kharge said, “In the first nine years of the Modi government, more than one lakh farmers committed suicide.”

“Every single day, at an average, 30 farmers commit suicide. For the first time in independent India, taxes were imposed on farmers,” the Congress chief said.

It may be mentioned that Kharge had earlier alleged that the entire economic policy of the ruling dispensation favours “crony capitalism”.

Cong ress strate gists view Modi's statements as inadvertently aiding their cause, revealing his anxiety regarding the BJP's performance and reinforcing their narrative that Modi is "antipoor."

However, they are still assessing how this might influence voters from the majority community. Additionally, the Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Modi's remarks in Rajasthan's Banswara, labeling them as "hate speech."

Modi had suggested that the Congress intends to redistribute wealth to "infiltrators," families with more children, and Muslims.

He further alleged that the Congress seeks to grant quotas to Muslims at the expense of Dalits and tribal communities, an accusation vehemently denied by the opposition party.

Modi repeats 'anti-Muslim' rhetoric Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his antiMuslim rhetoric on Tuesday, accusing the Congress of attempting to extend reservation based on religion to Muslims and orchestrating a "deep conspiracy" to redistribute people's wealth among select individuals.

During a speech in Rajasthan’s Tonk-Sawai Madhopur earlier today, PM Modi targeted Muslims, India’s largest religious minority, and the Congress.

He alleged that the Congress, during its tenure, sought to diminish the SC-ST reservation and allocate it to Muslims.

Continuing his scathing critique of the Congress, PM Modi claimed that the party was plotting to "seize your property" and "redistribute it among selected individuals."

PM Modi's inflammatory remarks faced strong backlash from the opposition for propagating Islamophobia and for violating election rules prohibiting candidates from engaging in activities that exacerbate religious tensions.

On 'hate speech,' EC says 'No comment'

WHAT MODI SAID: When they were in power, they said Muslims have the first right over the country's resources.

So, among whom will they distribute all this attached property? They will distribute it among those who have more children. They will distribute among the infiltrators.

WHAT THE ELECTION COMMISSION SAID: We decline to comment.

WHAT THE LAWS SAY: Indian Penal Code Section 153A(1)(a): Whoever-by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, disharmony or feelings will between different of enmity, hatred or ill- religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities... shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT, 1951, SECTION 125: Promoting enmity between classes in connection with election: Any person who in connection with an election under this Act promotes or attempts to promote on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language, feelings of enmity or hatred, between different classes of the citizens of India shall be punishable, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT SECTION (1): No party or candidate shall include