PM Modi attacks Congress for vote-bank politics, assures Dalits, Tribals of 'forever quota'

Tonk (Rajasthan): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday came out all guns blazing at the Congress, accusing it of forever indulging in politics of appeasement and going as far as attempting to reduce reservations meant for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in a bid to benefit Muslims.

Addressing a public gathering in Rajasthan's Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, the PM assured that the reservation for Dalits, backward classes, and tribals would never be abolished.

Modi said: "Vote-bank politics is in Congress' DNA." He highlighted instances where the Congress allegedly tried to reduce reservation during its tenure, citing attempts in Andhra Pradesh between 2004 and 2010 to implement Muslim reservation, which were thwarted due to the vigilance of the Supreme Court.

He reiterated his commitment to preserving the rights of SCs, STs, and OBCs, stating that attempts to divert their reservation for political gains were against the ethos of the Constitution.

Modi criticised the Congress for allegedly disregarding the Constitution's principles by attempting to allocate reservations meant for Dalits, backward classes, and tribes to Muslims based on religion.

He questioned whether the Congress would be willing to sacrifice the rights enshrined in the Constitution for the sake of appeasing a particular community.

Modi emphasised his government's actions in Rajasthan, where they revoked the Additional Reservation quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) from the general category to protect the rights of SCs, STs, and OBCs.

He accused the Congress of indulging in divisive politics and asserted that his government understood and respected the Constitution.

The Prime Minister accused the Congress of fearing the truth and hiding its agenda, alleging that the party had orchestrated a conspiracy to divide society for political gains. He challenged the Congress to confront reality and engage in constructive dialogue instead of resorting to personal attacks.

Modi concluded by asserting that the Congress had lost touch with the principles of the Constitution and had become mired in vote-bank politics, prioritising appeasement over the welfare of the nation.