Election is for electing strong, stable govt, not for re-electing 'demagogue': Cong slams PM
New Delhi (PTI): Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his pitch for electing a strong and stable government, the Congress on Monday said this Lok Sabha election is for electing a strong and stable government, not for re-electing a "demagogue".
The opposition party also said that Prime Minister Modi's remarks were a sign of nervousness and expressed confidence that INDIA bloc will get a clear and convincing mandate in the polls.
Prime Minister Modi on Sunday made a pitch for electing a strong and stable government in an uncertain world beset by geopolitical tensions as the BJP released its manifesto.
Asked about the prime minister's remarks, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "This election is for electing strong and stable government, not for re-electing a demagogue. Strong and stable governments come from policies and programmes that address the concerns of the people."
"A prime minister who has nothing to say on farmers' issues, nothing to say on issues of unemployment and inflation, a prime minister who will refuse to talk about issues relating to workers, who refuses to talk on issues of social justice, social empowerment is making a pitch for a strong government, a capable government ... (in)his words. But the question is, strong and capable for what?" he said.
"That’s the real question and I think from our Nyay Patra and from the BJP's Modifesto, it’s very clear who has the agenda for addressing the concerns of the people," Ramesh said.
"So, we are going to the people. Our campaign is based on an agenda that addresses the concerns of women, youth, farmers, workers the disadvantaged and deprived sections of our society and that's a positive agenda. And we are confident that we will get a clear convincing, absolutely beyond doubt, a majority," he said.
"These words were also used I recall in 2004 and the people saw through that game, I think people have seen through this game. This is… these are all signs of a desperate and a nervous prime minister," Ramesh said.
Asked about the party's strategy in the polls, the Congress leader said there is not one thing but many things because India is a diverse country.
"What works in the south may not necessarily work in the north, north-east. So, we have a national campaign, but we also have to be sensitive to what the regional, and local issues are," Ramesh said.
"But most fundamentally this election is about saving democracy, it’s about saving our Constitution," he added.
The Congress leader said it is about saving constitutional provisions relating to secularism, relating to social justice, relating to special provisions for regions like the North-East.
"I mean that’s the fundamental issue in this election, it is the preservation of democracy, that India as we have known, India to be. The preservation of our Constitution and the values and its provisions and of course it’s about addressing the concerns of farmers, workers, youth, women, disadvantage sections of society," Ramesh said.
"We are hopeful that the people of India in a very silent way are going to give resounding verdict on the 4th of June, in favour of the Congress Party and its allies who Constitute the INDIA group," he added.
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India summons Canadian diplomat after pro-'Khalistan' slogans raised at event addressed by Trudeau
New Delhi, Apr 29: India on Monday summoned the Canadian deputy high commissioner and lodged a strong protest with him over raising of pro-'Khalistan' slogans at a public event in Toronto that was attended by Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several other leaders.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the shouting of the slogans at the event that was personally addressed by Trudeau as "disturbing" and said it illustrated once again the political space that has been given in Canada to "separatism, extremism and violence".
It said the actions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens.
"The Canadian deputy high commissioner was today summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the raising of separatist slogans on 'Khalistan' at an event which was being personally addressed by the prime minister of Canada," the MEA said.
The summoning of Deputy High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler came a day after the event in Toronto.
In his address at the event, Trudeau reaffirmed Canada's unwavering commitment to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the Sikh community.
"The Government of India's deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event," the MEA said.
"This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence," it said in a statement.
It further added: "Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens."
The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau's allegations in September of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd".
Days after Trudeau's allegations, India asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. Subsequently, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India.
India has been asserting that its "core issue" with Canada remained that of the space given to separatists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country.
Following Trudeau's allegations last year, India temporarily suspended issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. The visa services were resumed several weeks later.
