Kharge Urges People To Vote For Change
Jun 1, 2024 | Pratirodh Bureau
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Narendra Modi government is trying to destroy MGNREGA, the lifeline of the poor
On Saturday, 1 June, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged people to vote for change and asserted that the “festival of democracy” will be considered successful only when democratic powers defeat the dictatorial ones.
He said that the last phase of voting to save democracy and the Constitution was underway in the country and the INDIA bloc was fighting the dictatorial powers with courage.
In a post on ‘X’, Kharge said, “The battle is now in its final phase. The public has stood firmly with us in every phase. After six phases, people want to see us win.”
He added that the people want to see the Congress’ guarantees fulfilled.
The Congress leader said, “This time, the country has supported and sided with ‘Yuva Nyay, Kisaan Nyay, Nari Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay. This festival of democracy will be considered successful only when the democratic powers defeat the dictatorial powers.”
In a post in Hindi on ‘X’, he said, “Today, when you press the EVM button for 57 seats in 8 states and Union territories, think about the Preamble of the Constitution – ‘We the people of India.'”
Kharge also urged people to think about the future of workers, women, farmers, youngsters, Dalits, tribals and backward classes. He asked, “Will you push them into the swamp of injustice, oppression and inequality for another five years or will you create a brighter, better and just future for them?”
The Congress chief said, “You have to decide. Remember, if there is a Constitution, our basic fundamental rights will remain,”
The octogenarian also welcomed first-time voters, saying youngsters of the country who are going to vote for the first time have a big responsibility on their shoulders. Kharge also requested people to vote in large numbers. He said, “By voting for change, it will be a happy beginning.”
Polling is being held for 57 constituencies spread across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, including Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha, in the seventh and final phase of the general election on Saturday.
The voting is being held in all 13 seats of Punjab and four in Himachal Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, 13 in Uttar Pradesh, eight in Bihar, six in Odisha and three in Jharkhand, besides Chandigarh. Simultaneously, polling for the remaining 42 assembly constituencies in Odisha and bypolls to six assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh is also taking place.
Mallikarjun Kharge has been a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, from Karnataka since 2020. He was the chairperson of Public Accounts Committee in 16th Lok Sabha from 2016 to 2019. During the UPA 2 government, he served as the Minister of Railways from 2013 to 2014 and Minister of Labour and Employment from 2009 to 2013 in the Union Cabinet. Kharge was a Member of Parliament for Gulbarga, Karnataka from 2009 to 2019. He was also general secretary of All India Congress Committee and incharge for Maharashtra from 2018 to 2020.
He is a senior Karnataka politician and was the Leader of opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 1999. He was the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee from 2005 to 2008. He was a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Gurmitkal Assembly constituency from 1972 to 2008 and from Chittapur Assembly constituency from 2008 to 2009 and Ministry of home affairs, Government of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004 and Rural development from 1978 to 1980. He defeated Shashi Tharoor in the 2022 Indian National Congress presidential election.