Row erupts after Modi's 'wealth to infiltrators' remark; opposition reacts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statements at a poll rally in Rajasthan have sparked a row with several opposition leaders accusing him of using divisionary tactics ahead of Lok Sabha elections. On Sunday, addressing a rally in Banswara, Modi said that the Congress, if voted to power, could distribute the nation's wealth among "infiltrators" and "those who have more children." "[Former PM] Manmohan Singh's government had said Muslims have the first right on the country's assets," he said during his address.
Why does this story matter?
Modi was referring to Singh's speech at a meeting of the National Development Council in 2006 on fiscal priorities of the government. Then too, a controversy had broken out, after which the then Prime Minister's Office had issued a clarification on the "deliberate...mischievous misinterpretation" of Singh's speech. According to the office's statement, Singh had said, "Our collective priorities are clear: agriculture, irrigation...health, education...rural infrastructure, and...essential public investment...of general infrastructure...programmes for the upliftment of SC/STs, Other Backward Classes, minorities, and women...children."
PMO's clarification on Singh's speech in 2006
Singh had added, "The component plans for SC and ST will need to be revitalized...will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities...particularly the Muslim minority...are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on resources." The PMO had said, that Singh's reference to "first claim on resources" refers to all the "priority" areas listed above, including programmes for the upliftment of SCs, STs, OBCs, women and children and minorities.
PM Modi wants to divert attention of public: Gandhi
Hitting out at the PM's remark, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X, "After the disappointment in the first phase of voting, the level of Narendra Modi's lies has fallen so much that out of fear...he now wants to divert the attention of the public from the issues." "Trends have started coming regarding the immense support that Congress's 'Revolutionary Manifesto' is receiving," he added. The first phase of Lok Sabha elections were held on Friday, April 19.
Read: Gandhi's full statement
Akhilesh slams PM for 'lies' against Singh
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav—who is part of the opposition bloc, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance—also criticized PM Modi over his speech. "The way how he spread lies about the Congress's 'Nyay Patra' and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is an example of dirty politics," Yadav said. Separately, Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale urged the people to "use your power" and lodge complaints against the PM for the speech.
Modi abusing Muslims to get votes: Owaisi
Meanwhile, reacting to the PM's speech All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi wrote on X, "Modi today called Muslims infiltrators and people with many children. Since 2002...the only Modi guarantee has been to abuse Muslims and get votes." "One should know that under Modi's rule the first right to India's wealth has been of his wealthy friends...1% of Indians own 40% of the country's wealth...Hindus are made to fear Muslims...while their wealth is being used to enrich others," he added.
What did PM Modi say in Rajasthan
In his remarks in Rajasthan, PM Modi said, "The Congress manifesto says it will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom...Manmohan Singh's government had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets." The Congress, in response, said that its manifesto does not talk about "redistribution" and that it favours a "comprehensive socio-economic caste census."
