“Conspiracies being done to change Constitution”: Sonia Gandhi

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi hit out at the ruling BJP-NDA government on Saturday and alleged that conspiracies are being done to change the Constitution of the country.

Accusing the ruling government of threatening the opposition to join the BJP, the Congress Chairperson said, “Modi ji is destroying the country and democracy by considering himself great. Opposition leaders are threatened with joining the BJP. Today, the democracy of our country is in danger. Conspiracies are being done to change our Constitution.”

“For the last ten years, our country has been under the rule of a government that has left no stone unturned in promoting unemployment, inflation, the economic crisis, inequality and oppression. What this Modi government has done is in front of us. That is why this time is full of despair, but know that hope is also born along with despair,” the Congress leader added.

She said that everyone should fight against the injustice persisting all around and find justice.

“Once upon a time, through their hard struggle, our great ancestors searched and earned independence for the country from the darkness of slavery. After so many years, that great light has dimmed somewhat. The darkness of injustice has increased all around. We all must resolve that we will fight against it and find justice,” the Congress leader said.

Earlier on Friday, Congress released its 2024 Lok Sabha poll manifesto, making a slew of promises to various sections of society, including a legal guarantee for MSP, 50 per cent reservation for women in government jobs, repealing the Agnipath scheme, doubling GDP in the next ten years, strengthening the anti-defection law, restoring status quo ante with China, mobile phones for students from classes IX to XII and amending the GST regime.

The ‘Nyay Patra’ was released at the AICC headquarters by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former president Rahul Gandhi, manifesto committee Chairman P Chidambaram and general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal.

The manifesto promises ‘Paanch Nyay’, based on “five pillars of justices” with 25 guarantees which include, ‘Yuva Nyay’, ‘Naari Nyay’, ‘Kisaan Nyay’, ‘Shramik Nyay’ and ‘Hissedari Nyay’.
The Congress is fighting the Lok Sabha polls as part of INDIA bloc.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India will be held in seven different phases, starting from April 19 till June 1. While a bulk of parliamentary seats (102) will go to polls on the inaugural day itself, the remaining seats will go to polls on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes will be done on June 4.

In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the ruling BJP garnered over 37 per cent votes and won over 303 seats. The NDA crossed the 350 seats mark and won 353 seats with a vote share of 45 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Congress won 52 seats and once again failed to secure the position of the official Opposition. The UPA cumulatively won 91 seats while other parties won 98 seats.