Mallikarjun Kharge alleges Modi govt using Army 'politically' for elections

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. File Pic

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the government of using the Army "politically" for elections and claimed the ruling party has hurt its dignity by "capitalising on the popularity of soldiers", reported news agency PTI.

Mallikarjun Kharge claimed the Narendra Modi government has asked the Army to set up selfie points across the country where its schemes will be promoted instead of the bravery of soldiers.

"By capitalising on the popularity of the brave soldiers of our Indian Army who protect the nation, Modi ji is promoting himself. By politically using the army for elections, the Modi government has done something which has never happened in the last 75 years," Kharge alleged in a post in Hindi on X.

The Modi government has asked the Army to set up 822 selfie points across the country to promote government schemes. There, instead of the story of the bravery of the soldiers, "there is an idol-like image of Prime Minister Modi and praises of his schemes", the Congress president alleged in the post.

"The Indian National Congress is extremely proud of the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Army. The BJP, which gives lessons of nationalism, has hurt the dignity of the Indian Army," Kharge claimed.

Meanwhile, ahead of assembly and Lok Sabha polls, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on October 9 exhorted party workers to work in coordination, discipline and unity to ensure the party's victory in the elections, reported PTI.

Addressing party leaders at a crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), he once again raised the demand for conducting a nationwide caste census to ensure social justice and rights to the SCs, STs and OBCs in accordance with their population, while noting that the BJP is silent on this, reported PTI.

For proper share in welfare schemes, it is important to have socio-economic data on the condition of weaker sections of society and ensure social justice to them, he asserted, reported PTI.

The Congress president also said the Congress would implement women's reservation if voted to power in 2024, reported PTI.

While asking party leaders to expedite efforts to highlight government failures, he said they must immediately counter the "false propaganda" of the ruling BJP as such attacks and falsehood would increase as elections approach, reported PTI.

"As we approach the upcoming assembly elections and general elections, it is important that the party works with meticulous coordination and complete discipline and unity," he said at the meeting.

Kharge also underlined the need for an effective strategy for assembly polls in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, MP, Telangana, Mizoram, reported PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)