Kharge slams Modi for Rafale at Congress yatra

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress began its Jansangharsha Yatra from Kolhapur on Friday. The party’s state in-charge Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for lying to the nation about the Rafale deal. He appealed to the people to unite against the BJP in the coming elections. The Congress also asked its leaders to stop infighting during a workers' meeting.

Mr Kharge said, “The PM has promised ‘Achche Din’ to the people of India before elections. But now, the people want to bring back their old din. This government has derailed India's development on all fronts. Congress workers must fight against it.”

About the Rafale deal, he said, “For the businessman friend, this government has paid extra money to every plane. It is the people's money. The government is not even telling us the exact price of the plane. What is the deal Modiji?”

Addressing the crowd, Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said, “This Manuvadi government is now threatening people having photos of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Phule in their houses. This is just not done. The Congress will not allow this to happen. The Bahujan Samaj will join hands to defeat this government.”

Maharashtra state Congress president Ashok Chavan appealed to party workers to reach out to every household and make people aware of the failure of the central and state government.

“Petrol touching the highest prices and the rupee has fallen to a historic low. Still, the government spends thousands of crores on advertising. We need to expose them before the people,” he said.

Mr Kharge warned state party leaders against infighting. “You all must know that if you unite, you can bring power back to the party. Then only you will be able to become ministers and assume other posts. If you keep fighting among yourselves, the BJP will come back and you will get nothing. So, unity is the key and you all have to decide,” he said in the internal meeting of party leaders of western Maharashtra.