New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- The Congress on Friday hit back at the BJP over its "regime change" charge, saying the ruling party needs to be reminded of former president Pranab Mukherjee's statement that the job of the Opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and depose.
The Opposition party said it categorically rejects any unconstitutional seizure of power as it believes in peaceful democratic mobilisation, constitutional institutions, free and fair elections and the sovereign will of the Indian people.
The Congress assertion came after Union minister Rajnath Singh lashed out at the Opposition party and its allies over protests in the national capital, accusing them of seeking a regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and using the energy of youth to spread "anarchy".
Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Singh asserted that democracy does not give anyone the licence to create disorder or undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions.
Hitting back at Singh, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "The Defence minister needs to be reminded of what the former President Pranab Mukherjee, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019, would often say: the job of the Opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and depose."
Addressing a press conference here, Congress media and publicity head Pawan Khera said his party had been raising its voice against the RSS ideology for the past 100 years.
"Whenever anyone asks a question from the Modi government, instead of answering that question, they make counter-accusations and start plotting conspiracies against those who raise the question," Khera said.
The narrative of the Modi government has become clear to the entire country that it only talks about the past and the future, he said.
UP Congress chief Aradhana Misra Mona said if the BJP defends Kumar, then the party will be just as culpable for this act as the CEC himself.
"I fail to understand why the BJP is defending an individual who has undermined this country's democracy and constitutional order -- someone who has shaken the very foundation of our democracy -- the right to vote. Why is the BJP standing behind him and shielding Kumar?" she said.
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad also dismissed the defence minister's allegations, particularly his claim that Opposition parties were using young people for political purposes. "The defence minister's allegation is baseless. The youth are the architects of the nation," Prasad said.
SP Lok Sabha MP Iqra Hasan said, "Look, it is the BJP that is plundering the nation and setting the country ablaze. If they have such a major problem, why are they causing distress to the youth of the entire nation to protect one individual? They should ensure the resignation of that person -- Kumar."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.