Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 21, dropped a Political bombshell, when he asserted that if the Congress were to win power, it might redistribute wealth to Muslims, referencing a statement by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding the minority community’s priority access to the country’s resources.
“Previously, during the tenure of the Congress government, they stated that Muslims hold the primary claim over the nation’s assets. This implies that such property distribution would benefit those with larger families and potentially infiltrators. Do you agree that your earnings should support infiltrators?”, said the Prime Minister while addressing an election rally in Rajasthan.
“The Congress manifesto allegedly outlines plans to assess the gold holdings of our mothers and sisters, gather information about it, and distribute the property. This distribution would prioritise Muslims”, PM Modi further stated.
PM Modi’s reference was directed towards former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s contentious statement in 2006 regarding the supposed “first claim” of the Muslim community on the country’s resources.
PM Modi also slammed the Congress for neglecting the welfare of tribal communities, alleging that the party failed to appoint a single individual from the Adivasi community as President of the country during its 60-year tenure.
“Did the tribals lack capability? Take a look at the mindset of the Congress. However, in 2014, you bestowed your blessings upon us… and now, a tribal daughter holds the esteemed position of the country’s president. This exemplifies genuine participation. This embodies the essence of the Constitution gifted to us by Babasaheb,” the Prime Minister stated while addressing a public rally in Banswara in support of BJP’s Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya.
He alleged that the Congress has consistently instilled fear among the Dalits, tribals, and minorities and is presently disseminating falsehoods about democracy, the Constitution, and reservation to intimidate them.
“The country has moved beyond the grip of fear, which is why their deceitful tactics are no longer effective. In states with significant tribal populations, the Congress either lacks power or occupies third or fourth place… There is palpable discontent among the tribal population, and there are substantial reasons behind it,” said PM Modi.
Congress tries to do Damage Control
However, the Congress party has clarified that while their manifesto addresses economic inequalities, it does not advocate for wealth redistribution, but rather supports a comprehensive socio-economic caste census, news agency PTI reported.
The grand old party had asserted that Rahul Gandhi did not promise redistribution of the nation’s wealth in Hyderabad on April 7, 2024. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh issued this clarification after Rahul Gandhi was reported as talking about the need to conduct a survey for more equitable distribution of the country’s wealth.
Responding to Modi’s allegations, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera challenged the Prime Minister to show if the word Hindu or Muslim is written anywhere in the party manifesto. He said, “The Prime Minister lied to the country again, will you keep lying to win an election?… Now you are serving another lie to the country in the name of Hindu-Muslim.”
Khera emphasised the Congress manifesto’s focus on justice for various sections of society, including youth, women, and workers. “The Congress manifesto speaks of ‘Nyaay’ (justice) for the youth, women, and workers, he stressed. “Our Nyay Patra shows a mirror to the Prime Minister and what he has done for 10 years that is just evoking Hindu-Muslim. You should be ashamed of lying and dividing the country,” he added.
What Ex PM Manmohan Singh said?
PM Modi’s remarks were a direct reference to ex-PM Manmohan Singh’s controversial “first claim” remark made in 2006. The then-PM Singh’s remark who was quoted saying, “I believe our collective priorities are clear agriculture, irrigation and water resources, health, education, critical investment in rural infrastructure, and the essential public investment needs of general infrastructure, along with programmes for the upliftment of SC/STs, other backward classes, minorities and women and children.”
“The component plans for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will need to be revitalized. We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on resources. The Centre has a myriad other responsibilities whose demands will have to be fitted within the over-all resource availability,” he added.
