Modi communalized political strategy; INDIA bloc set to get decisive mandate: Congress

CHANDIGARH: Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh today said that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) was headed for a clear and decisive mandate.

Addressing a press conference here today, Jairam said trends from the first two phases had established that the INDIA bloc was set to form the government at the Centre. He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s language changed since April 19 and he started communalizing his election strategy turning everything into a Hindu-Muslim issue.

The Congress general secretary disclosed that the feedback from different states, where the party had fared badly in 2019, was quite encouraging and it was doing very well this time.

He said history was repeating itself after twenty years. He said, like the Congress-led alliance stormed to power then, it will storm to power this time also.

As regards the appointment of the Prime Minister, he said that once the INDIA bloc gets a majority, the Prime Minister will be appointed within days. He said, in 2004, it took three days to appoint Dr Manmohan Singh and this time, it may take even less than that.

Besides, he pointed out that in India, it is the party or the alliance that wins the elections, not an individual. He said in a parliamentary democracy like India, elections are not individual-centric.

Jairam reaffirmed ‘Paanch Nyay’ – justice for farmers, youth, laborers, women, and proportionate representation, with five guarantees each for every ‘Nyay’.

He said the Congress has guaranteed in its manifesto that the MSP will have legal status; besides, farmers’ loans will be waived off.

He said that for the laborers, the minimum daily wages would be increased to 400 from 250.

For every poor family, INDIA government will provide Rs 8,500 every month. Besides, every fresh graduate and diploma holder will be entitled to a guaranteed apprenticeship for one year with an assured income of Rs 1 lakh for that period.

The Congress general secretary reiterated that the party was fighting the elections to save the Constitution and democracy. He pointed out how the BJP committed the murder of democracy in Chandigarh on January 30 by fraudulently making its candidate win the mayoral elections.

He announced that once the INDIA bloc forms the government, mayoral elections in all major cities including Chandigarh will be held directly and the mayors will be elected for five years.

On Chandigarh, he said, the INDIA bloc will encourage the IT-based industry here. Besides, he said, while the alliance will ensure due progress and development, it will not be done at the cost of the environment.