PM Narendra Modi was speaking at a poll rally in Anand, Gujarat
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today seized on Congress leader Salman Khurshid’s niece Maria Alam’s “vote jihad” comment, suggesting it revealed the INDIA bloc’s strategy in the current Lok Sabha election. He criticized the INDIA alliance for urging Muslims to engage in “Vote Jihad,” which he claimed came from an educated family rather than a madrasa student, calling it an affront to democracy and the Constitution.
The Prime Minister highlighted that no Congress leader had yet challenged the statement, indicating possible agreement within the party. “The INDIA alliance is attempting to divide SC, ST, OBC, and general categories while simultaneously promoting the ‘Vote Jihad’ slogan, showcasing their dangerous intentions,” he stated.
This critique follows Maria Alam’s appeal to Muslim voters in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, to engage in “vote jihad” as a means to remove the current government. Alam, a Samajwadi Party leader, was campaigning for party candidate Naval Kishore Shakya. She asserted that “vote jihad” was the only way to remove the government, claiming that “insaniyat” (humanity) was under threat.
Uttar Pradesh police have filed a case against Maria Alam for promoting enmity between classes and violating the Model Code of Conduct. Another case was also filed against Mr. Khurshid, who attended the event.
When asked about his niece’s statement, Mr Khurshid explained that he avoids using certain terms in public addresses due to the risk of misinterpretation. He clarified that “jihad” means to struggle against a situation, suggesting Alam’s intention was to protect the Constitution.
Senior police officer Vikas Kumar informed ANI that a video of Maria Alam Khan asking for votes based on religious grounds had been circulating on social media, constituting a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat, currently held by the BJP, is being contested by the Samajwadi Party under a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. Sitting MP Mukesh Rajput, who won the seat in previous elections, is running again. Polling in Farrukhabad is set for May 13.
In another critique of the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, the Prime Minister accused the party of collaborating with Pakistan. “The weak Congress government used to provide dossiers to the masters of terror. In contrast, my strong government eliminates terrorists on their home turf,” he said. “Today, as Congress weakens in India, Pakistan laments. Pakistani leaders are offering ‘dua’ for Congress and supporting Rahul Gandhi for Prime Minister. The Congress-Pakistan partnership has now been fully exposed,” he declared.
