Congress leader Sachin Pilot has wondered why top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are 'forced' to deny the fear of 'change in the Constitution' being created by some party leaders in case the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) exceeds will get 400 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
“These elections are not just about the BJP winning or the Congress winning. It's about what kind of system we want in this country. I am not into this fear mongering that some people in the BJP are saying that the 'change in the Constitution' is propaganda. The BJP leaders have said this on public platforms. That is why I say why should the top leaders of the BJP deny this allegation,” Pilot said in an interview with news agency ANI.
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Pilot, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, said this about the claim by Congress and other opposition party leaders that the BJP would change the Constitution and end reservations if it comes to power with over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP denied the allegation, calling it 'fear-mongering' and 'propaganda' by the opposition.
The Congress had on May 7 claimed that the BJP's real intention is to amend the Constitution and end reservations, which is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party's leaders called for “over 400” asking for seats. Some BJP leaders such as party member Anantkumar Hegde have called for a 'rewrite' of the Constitution in public forums, saying the BJP needs to win 400 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha to achieve this. The BJP had distanced itself from Hegde's comments.
Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Constitution, 'vote jihad' and minority quota ruled BJP, Congress campaign in phase 3
For the ongoing elections, the BJP-led NDA, which is seeking a record third term, has set a target of winning 400 seats. The target for the BJP alone is 370 seats. The ruling alliance is being challenged by the opposition parties led by Congress under the banner of INDIA bloc.
“Let me ask a simple question: Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister had a majority of over 400 MPs. Did he ever feel the need to defend and declare that he would not amend the Constitution or end the reservations? Does Manmohan Singhji ever have such a statement, why do the BJP leaders today find it necessary to categorically deny what is being propagated?” Pilot asked.
In the 77-year history of Independent India, only once has a party or coalition won more than 400 seats. The Congress Party, led by Rajiv Gandhi, won 404 of the 514 Lok Sabha seats in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections. The 1984 Lok Sabha elections were held after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi's mother and former Prime Minister, the late Indira Gandhi.
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Published: May 9, 2024 1:38 PM IST