Jaipur, Oct 31 Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of advocating “regime change” in India on the lines of Bangladesh and questioned whether the opposition party wanted similar violence and attacks on Hindus in the country.
Addressing a press conference here, Joshi said elections are the only constitutional and democratic means of changing government in India.
“Rahul Gandhi and some people around him openly talk about regime change. He cites Bangladesh and asks people to draw inspiration from its youth. What kind of regime change does he want?” Joshi said.
He also accused Gandhi of seeking foreign intervention in India’s internal democratic affairs.
The Union education minister said the change of government in Bangladesh had taken place amid violence, and alleged that Hindus are facing violence, and even being killed, there.
“Does the Congress want similar conditions in India?” he questioned, adding that democracy is rooted in India’s traditions and people are capable of electing their governments.
Joshi also attacked Gandhi over his opposition to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that the exercise had been conducted 12 times in the past, including 10 times during Congress rule.
He said the revision was necessary to remove the names of deceased voters, people who had permanently shifted and duplicate entries from electoral rolls.
He claimed the Congress wanted names of infiltrators to be included in electoral rolls to gain political advantage.
The Union minister also accused the Congress of undermining the Election Commission, judiciary and other constitutional institutions whenever election results went against it.
He said in recently-concluded elections to 28 Legislative Council seats across states — conducted through ballot papers — the BJP won 15 seats while the Congress secured only one.
“If the Congress loses elections conducted through ballot papers as well, why does it keep questioning EVMs?” he said.
Joshi said the Congress should accept electoral defeats instead of blaming democratic institutions.
He also accused the opposition party of damaging the country’s economic interests through protests during the festive season, claiming that recent demonstrations had caused losses of around Rs 20,000 crore to traders.
Taking a swipe at Gandhi’s leadership, Joshi said the Congress had repeatedly tried to “launch and relaunch him politically without success.
Joshi said the BJP’s “Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao (Save Democracy, End Anarchy)” campaign is aimed at raising awareness about protecting democracy and constitutional institutions.
The Union minister also paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary.
(PTI News)
