Kharge to Amit Shah: Don’t Teach Us Patriotism

Kharge questioned the contribution of the BJP and RSS to the freedom movement and accused them of being "anti-India" and "anti-religion".

Referring to repeated BJP criticism of the Gandhi family and Sonia Gandhi, Kharge highlighted his own political experience, saying he had become an MLA even before Amit Shah was born.

Taking a dig at Shah, Kharge said, "When I became an MLA, Amit Shah was not even born yet." He also questioned the BJP and RSS's contribution to India's freedom struggle and challenged their claims of patriotism.

The Congress chief also accused the BJP of being "anti-religion", alleging that a 'shuddhikaran' (purification ritual) was conducted at a venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a public rally addressed by him.

Kharge said such an act raised questions about religious teachings and criticised the RSS and its ideological leaders over the incident.

Highlighting the contributions of Congress leaders to the independence movement, Kharge said Mahatma Gandhi dedicated his life to the freedom struggle, while Jawaharlal Nehru spent 14 years in jail. He asserted that no other political party could match the Congress's legacy in the freedom movement.

Kharge further alleged that the BJP was damaging the country by promoting division instead of unity. He accused the party of creating unrest and said its politics was aimed at dividing people rather than promoting secularism and unity.

Kharge, who said he has spent 56 years in public life, including nine terms as an MLA, four as an MP and two as a Rajya Sabha member, credited the Congress party for his political journey.

Recalling personal hardships, Kharge said he had lost several family members in his childhood and that his house was burnt down, but he continued his political journey.

Turning his focus to Goa, Kharge accused the BJP-led government of coming to power through defections. He urged voters to reject leaders who, he alleged, "make fun of" and "loot" the people.

Kharge also accused the BJP of taking away Congress MLAs and urged party workers to remain united and work at the booth level.

"Be one. If there is unity, everything is there. If there is no unity, these people will keep destroying," he said, calling for greater unity among Congress workers.

The Congress currently holds three of the 40 seats in the Goa Assembly, with Yuri Alemao serving as the Leader of the Opposition. The party had won 11 seats in the 2022 Assembly elections, but eight of its MLAs subsequently crossed over to the BJP.