'PM Modi believes in buying MLAs like goats, toppling governments': Kharge steps up attack against BJP

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday stepped up his attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused the government of intending to oppress" opposition, topple governments and buy MLAs "like goats to feed and feast on them later".

Kharge, who was speaking at a rally in poll-bound Jharkhand, also raked up Bharatiya Janata Party's( BJP ) 'divisive' poll slogans, alleged preferential treatment to select few businessmen, and 'unfulfilled' poll promises.

"Modi ji believes in oppressing opposition, toppling govts and purchasing MLAs like goats," Kharge said at the rally.

Referring to UP CM Yogi Adityanath 's 'Batenge toh Katenge' (will be slaughtered, if divided) slogan, Kharge said that the CM embodies the saying 'Mukh me Ram, bagal me chhuri' (A wolf in sheep's clothing). He further claimed thatPM Modi and home minster Shah have deployed the ED, CBI, and other central agencies against opposition leaders but added, "We are not afraid. We fought for independence and sacrificed our lives."

Kharge also accused PM Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah of running the central government alongside "Adani and Ambani," alleging that "four people are running India: Modi, Shah, Adani, and Ambani, while Rahul Gandhi and I are trying to save the Constitution and democracy."

Kharge took a swipe at the prime minister, saying, "Modi believes he is not biological" and alleging, "He is a habitual liar who never fulfills his promises… Did any 'Golden Era' come to Gujarat?"

"We have been tolerating Modi for 25 years as CM and PM. He supports those who exploit backward people and women… PM Modi is afraid to visit Manipur; I dare him to go there," the Congress President claimed.

Attacking the UP chief minister, Kharge said, "A true Yogi cannot use language like 'batenge toh katenge' (if divided, we will be wiped out). This language is used by terrorists. Yogi is the head of a mutt, wears saffron robes, but believes in 'mukh me Ram, bagal me chhuri' (A wolf in sheep's clothing)."

On Saturday, Kharge accused the BJP and its leaders of giving provocative speeches and misleading people by diverting attention from real issues. He also stirred the pot with his remarks against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath. Although he didn't name anyone, Kharge implied that many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians, with some even becoming chief ministers.

"Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians. Some have even become chief ministers. They wear 'gerua' clothes and have no hair on their heads...I would say to the BJP, either wear white clothes or, if you are a sanyasi, wear 'gerua' clothes and stay out of politics. On the one hand, you wear 'gerua' clothes, and on the other, you say 'batoge toh katoge'...They are spreading hatred among the people and trying to divide them," Kharge had said on Sunday.

However, Kharge's remarks did not sit well with the BJP, which accused the Congress chief of being "anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan."

"This is the true philosophy and DNA of Congress, which is anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan. Congress is now saying that those who wear 'gerua' and saffron, the clothes of a sadhu, should not enter politics. But will they ever say this about Maulanas and Maulvis? This is the same Congress that spoke about 'saffron terrorism' and 'Hindu terror'...They will never say such things about other faiths. It shows how Congress has hurt the Hindu faith to secure votes from their vote bank...They consider 'batoge toh katoge' as communal and vote jihad as secular," a BJP spokesperson had responded to Kharge's charges.