Sun Nov 17 16:27:52 UTC 2024: ## Kharge Accuses BJP of Divisive Politics in Maharashtra Rally

**Nagpur, Maharashtra –** Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the BJP during a rally in Umred, Nagpur, on Sunday, November 17, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Kharge directly challenged the BJP’s slogan, “unity brings safety,” (a modified version of their earlier “divided we perish” slogan), arguing that it is the BJP, not minority groups, who are sowing divisions within the country.

He accused the BJP of undermining constitutional values established by Dr. Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru, questioning their patriotism in light of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. Kharge also criticized the BJP’s handling of the agricultural sector, citing a significant drop in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for soybeans, impacting farmers’ livelihoods. He further alleged that the BJP is consolidating control over cooperative banks, favoring wealthy individuals, as evidenced by their actions during demonetization.

Kharge highlighted the shift of development projects from Maharashtra to Gujarat, attributing Maharashtra’s past progress to Congress leaders like Nehru. He dismissed BJP claims of Congress inactivity over the past 70 years, pointing to the party’s contributions to nation-building, from the freedom struggle to the creation of the Constitution. He compared the BJP’s extensive use of Modi’s image in advertisements to Hitler’s propaganda tactics.

The Congress leader also questioned Prime Minister Modi’s failure to visit the Adivasis in Manipur despite extensive international travel. He urged voters to reject the BJP, predicting Modi’s weakening if key allies like Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu were to withdraw support. Kharge concluded by reiterating the Congress’s election promises, including farm loan waivers and unemployment allowances, as outlined in their manifesto. The rally was held in support of the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s candidate, Sanjay Narayantao Meshram.

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