Congress accuses PM of ‘pressuring’ rebel BJP leader against contesting HP polls citing video in circulation | India News
NEW DELHI: Congress on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “pressuring” a rebel BJP leader against contesting the Himachal Pradesh assembly polls and alleged that he is “misusing his power” to influence free and fair elections at a time when inflation has skyrocketed, and the economy and unemployment levels are plummeting to new lows.
Citing a video being circulated on social media platforms, Congress spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Singhvi said Modi was heard in the video calling Kripal Parmar, the BJP rebel, and “emotionally blackmailing” him against contesting as an independent against the BJP nominee from Kangra’s Fatehpur seat.
Pointing to the PM’s “skewed priorities list” which he said is “inverted and distorted”, Singhvi said, “Not governance, but electioneering is the favourite job of the BJP government and its chief executive.”
Congress said it will use all remedies available, including complaining to the Election Commission, about the incident.
“The BJP is losing ground in Himachal Pradesh and is going to be defeated. Such actions and words reflect its fear, frustration and insecurity. We leave it to the nation to judge whether the exalted office of the Hon’ble PM should be stooping to such levels for an MLA election,” he said.
The Congress leader also pointed out that Modi was prioritising electioneering over governance at a time when unemployment in rural India has breached 8%, the combined consumer price index rose to 7.4% in September, and rural CPI increased even more.
“The consumer food price index (CFPI) has gone up to 8.6% year-on-year this month. This implies that food prices are driving the price rise, hitting the common man in the solar plexus,” Singhvi said.
Citing a video being circulated on social media platforms, Congress spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Singhvi said Modi was heard in the video calling Kripal Parmar, the BJP rebel, and “emotionally blackmailing” him against contesting as an independent against the BJP nominee from Kangra’s Fatehpur seat.
Pointing to the PM’s “skewed priorities list” which he said is “inverted and distorted”, Singhvi said, “Not governance, but electioneering is the favourite job of the BJP government and its chief executive.”
Congress said it will use all remedies available, including complaining to the Election Commission, about the incident.
“The BJP is losing ground in Himachal Pradesh and is going to be defeated. Such actions and words reflect its fear, frustration and insecurity. We leave it to the nation to judge whether the exalted office of the Hon’ble PM should be stooping to such levels for an MLA election,” he said.
The Congress leader also pointed out that Modi was prioritising electioneering over governance at a time when unemployment in rural India has breached 8%, the combined consumer price index rose to 7.4% in September, and rural CPI increased even more.
“The consumer food price index (CFPI) has gone up to 8.6% year-on-year this month. This implies that food prices are driving the price rise, hitting the common man in the solar plexus,” Singhvi said.
