BJP govt tearing Constitution to shreds by weakening institutions, misusing agencies: Sachin Pilot
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Raipur (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday accused the BJP-led government of tearing the Constitution to shreds, and slammed it for "intimidating and suppressing" people through central investigative agencies in the name of ending corruption.
Pilot, the Congress' in-charge for Chhattisgarh, also said his was the only party that confronted extremism and terrorism in the country, and its leaders sacrificed their lives for the nation.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Raipur airport after his arrival on a two-day visit to the state.
He urged citizens to take a pledge on the Constitution Day (November 26) to safeguard institutions and uphold the original spirit of the Constitution, including freedom of speech for the media and Opposition.
"People are being intimidated and suppressed using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department in the name of ending corruption. Everyone is watching this. No action is taken against those indulging in corruption in your own party (BJP and allies).
"But the moment any Opposition leader raises voice, raids are conducted and they are sent to jail. They are tearing the Constitution to shreds. On Constitution Day, they (BJP) should introspect," Pilot said.
On being asked about the recent surrender of Naxalites in Bastar, the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister said the Congress has a long history of fighting terrorism and extremism.
"Since independence, the only party that has boldly confronted extremism and terrorism in this country is the Congress. Our leaders have sacrificed their lives and shed their blood for this nation. Those who merely give speeches today are ruling the country, while those who sacrificed entire generations, including in Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh, are being lectured on nationalism," he said.
Pilot reiterated that the Congress remains committed to safeguarding the country's integrity and sovereignty, and said anyone supporting terrorism should face strict action.
When asked about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Pilot asked why the exercise is being done in haste.
The Congress welcomes the removal of illegal voters but will oppose any attempt to delete genuine voters on socioeconomic grounds, he said.
"If a citizen is poor, Dalit, backward, or vulnerable, and their name is deliberately removed, Congress will not tolerate this injustice," he said.
In different states, wherever the SIR process is underway, we will work with full force to expose if the Election Commission's intentions are not impartial and if it is working under pressure, he said.
He added that the Congress will hold a major rally in Delhi on December 14 to protest against alleged irregularities in the voter lists and the conduct of the Election Commission.
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Congress committed to social justice, says Karnataka CM; hits out at JD(S), BJP
BJP Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday asserted that the Congress remains firmly committed to social justice, both in principle and practice.
"The Congress is a party committed to social justice. This ideological commitment has been demonstrated not merely through words but through action," the CM said in a statement, underlining that the party has consistently translated its philosophy into governance.
He said his recent article marking Social Justice Day has sparked debate.
Defending the piece, he said: "An article I wrote for a newspaper as part of Social Justice Day celebrations has sparked multifaceted debate in the state’s political circles. If water remains stagnant, it turns into slush; if it flows, it becomes clearer."
"The social system is similar—if it does not remain rigid and instead becomes dynamic, it transforms in a people-centric manner. From this perspective, I welcome the discussion surrounding my article," he added.
Stating that his commitment to social justice is longstanding, the CM said, "Whether in power or out of it, my stand in favour of social justice has remained unwavering. I have greater clarity about the caste system among us than the politicians criticising me."
"I am prepared for a public debate on this issue," Siddaramaiah added.
Responding to criticism from Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy, he said, "I have taken his allegation—that I have ‘dragged caste into the picture for the sake of a chair’—lightly."
Launching a sharp attack on JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and his family, Siddaramaiah added, "Kumaraswamy and his revered father Deve Gowda are certainly not casteists; they are against their own caste. More importantly, they are family-centric. For them, caste is merely a vote bank."
He alleged that past, present, and future top JD(S) leaders would always be members of the Gowda family, questioning how many Vokkaliga leaders the party had nurtured during Deve Gowda’s long political career.
The CM maintained that it was the Congress that had identified and politically groomed Vokkaliga leaders.
"From Kengal Hanumanthaiah to S M Krishna, hundreds of Vokkaliga leaders have been nurtured. If Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Kadidal Manjappa, and S M Krishna became chief ministers, it was because of the Congress," he said, adding that several prominent Vokkaliga leaders are currently in the party.
"If one day anyone other than a member of Deve Gowda’s family becomes chief minister, it will be through the Congress," he noted.
Highlighting inclusivity, Siddaramaiah said the Congress has enabled leaders from Vokkaliga, Lingayat, and backward communities to become chief ministers in Karnataka, and expressed gratitude to party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for giving him a second term.
He added that leaders from the Dalit community who rise to the CM's post do so on merit, not merely caste. "I can confidently say that if someone from the Dalit community becomes chief minister in the future, it will be possible only through the Congress,” he reiterated.
He questioned whether the JD(S) or the BJP in the state is capable of fostering such aspirations. "This is the difference between the Congress, the BJP and JD(S). Therefore, I urge those accusing me of practising caste politics to introspect," the CM said.
