Ahmedabad, (thestates.news)| In a veiled attack on the ruling party, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that attempts are being made to divide the country on the basis of religion to deflect attention from the country’s fundamental problems.
Addressing the opening session of the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) here, Kharge said, “Today, communal division is being used to deflect attention from the nation’s fundamental problems. Oligarchic monopoly, on the other hand, is on the path of controlling the government by capturing the resources of the country.”
Kharge also alleged that a “well-planned conspiracy” is underway to malign the image of national heroes and tarnish the legacy of the Congress party. He accused some political forces of creating a hostile atmosphere against the party, which he said has a proud 140-year history of service and sacrifice for the nation. Effort is being driven by individuals and groups “who have nothing to show as their achievements” and “played no role in the freedom struggle of India,” he stated.
Kharge said, “They are deliberately trying to present the relationship between Sardar Patel and Pandit Nehru as one of rivalry or conflict. However, the reality is quite the opposite – both leaders shared a deep mutual respect and were, in fact, two sides of the same coin. Numerous events and historical records stand as testimony to the warmth and cooperation between them.”
Mentioning the 1937 speech of Sardar Patel at Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Kharge said, “At that time, Nehruji was serving as the Congress president, and the youth of Gujarat were eager to have him visit and campaign during the provincial elections. On March 7, 1937, Sardar Patel said, “The day Gujarat proves its loyalty to the Congress by winning this election campaign we will greet Congress president Nehruji with flowers and welcome him with open hearts.”
“This clearly reflects the deep affection and respect Sardar Patel had for Nehruji,” Kharge added.
Slamming the RSS for allegedly claiming the legacy of Sardar Patel, Kharge said Sardar Patel’s ideology was contrary to the ideas of RSS and even had banned the organisation.
He said this year marks 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi became the president of the Congress. In December 1924, the Father of the Nation took on the role during the Belagavi Congress session held in Karnataka. The party commemorated this historic occasion in Karnataka on December 26.
Alleging that attempts were being made to “divide the country on the basis of religion”, Kharge said, “Today, communal division is being used to deflect attention from the nation’s fundamental problems. Oligarchic monopoly, on the other hand, is on the path of controlling the government by capturing the resources of the country.”
Kharge also hailed the three former Congress presidents who were born in Gujarat — Dadabhai Naoroji, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for giving the party the “weapon of truth and non-violence against injustice”. Kharge said the party will celebrate Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary on October 31 this year with great enthusiasm. (UNI)
