The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Pawan Khera, strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that they lack substantive issues in the Lok Sabha elections and are instead focusing on divisive tactics such as exploiting Hindu-Muslim sentiments and cultural symbols like the Mangalsutra and temples. Speaking at a press conference held at the state Congress party office in Rajiv Bhawan, Khera accused the BJP government at the Centre of undermining democracy and the constitutional values. Responding to questions about the BJP’s ambitious claim of winning over 400 Lok Sabha seats, Khera suggested that such rhetoric reflects a fundamental flaw in the BJP’s agenda, pointing to their alleged intentions to alter the constitution and abolish reservation policies.

 

In contrast, Khera highlighted Congress’s support for a caste census and its efforts towards reservation, citing a bill in Chhattisgarh that he claims the BJP stalled. Khera criticised the BJP’s governance over the past decade, alleging that it has led to numerous suicides among youth, women, farmers, and businessmen due to misguided policies. Regarding the Election Commission’s delayed release of data for the first and second phases of the Lok Sabha elections, Khera expressed concern over the significant discrepancies in voting figures, indicating that Congress party plans to investigate further and may approach the Election Commission for clarification.

 

In response to Prime Minister Modi’s allegations about the inclusion of the Muslim League in the Congress’s manifesto, Khera denied any mention of Muslims in the Congress manifesto and claimed, “Not a single word of Muslim has been used in the manifesto of the Congress party. I have not read the manifesto of Muslim League. I don’t know if the Prime Minister has read it.” The press conference was attended by State Congress Media Chief Sushil Anand Shukla, State Congress In-charge General Secretary (Administration and Organisation) Malkit Singh Gaindu, State Congress Senior Spokespersons Dhananjay Singh Thakur, Surendra Verma, and other prominent Congress leaders.