‘BJP-led government wants to change the constitution and restrict people’s rights’

Raipur: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday said the BJP-led Union government wants to change the Constitution and restrict people’s rights.

Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh’s Balod in support of Congress’ Kanker Lok Sabha candidate Biresh Thakur, she also denounced the use of religion in politics and said it was never the tradition of the country.

“The Constitution has given you the right to vote, given you reservations, ensured protection of tribal culture and facilitated the development of Dalits. The BJP-led Union government wants to change this Constitution and curtail people’s rights,” she alleged.

She said any change in the constitution would affect everyone and that people would not be able to live a respectable life as their rights would be lost, including the right to ask questions.

The intention of the BJP-led Center is not right, the senior Congress leader alleged.

Claiming that “bragging about politics” had gained ground and was the trend in the country, she said, “Nowadays, when a leader performs a puja, there must be a camera there and it must be seen on television. There has to be showing off.”

“Indiraji (former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi) had a puja room to perform rituals, but she did it in solitude. It wasn’t to show off. Religion should not be used in politics as it has not been our tradition,” the Congress leader further said.

Religion means truth and service, and if a leader makes false promises from the podium, then he or she is neither religious nor on the path of truth, Gandhi claimed.

“The BJP-led Union government works only for a few industrialist friends of Prime Minister Modi. If it worked for you (citizens), your problems would be solved gradually. Modiji’s government has been in power for ten years. Has your life changed?” she asked.

BJP leaders continue to claim that Prime Minister Modi has become a powerful leader in the world, but if that was the case, why has he not reduced unemployment or controlled inflation, Gandhi said.

Prime Minister Modi waived off loans of Rs 16 lakh crore to industrial friends, the Congress leader further claimed.