New Delhi, May 7:
The Congress on Wednesday accused the BJP of giving communal colour to votes cast in polls and said it has a total 664 MLAs across the country, out of which only about 12 per cent are Muslim legislators, more or less mirroring the demographic composition of the community.
The opposition party’s assertion came after reports, citing sources, said that most of the Congress candidates who won in the recent assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu were Muslims.
Addressing a press conference, Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, “The BJP claims that it does not need Muslim votes. The BJP rejected Muslim voters, and Muslim voters, in turn, rejected the BJP.
Muslims also rejected so-called ‘Muslim parties’-much like the BJP itself.” Instead, they voted for a secular party of national stature — the Congress, Khera said and asked what is the problem with that.
He accused the BJP of giving communal colour to votes cast- a practice that is not permissible under the Constitution.
“The Congress currently has 664 MLAs across the country; of these, 78 per cent are Hindus and approximately 12 per cent are Muslims. This ratio closely mirrors the demographic composition of these communities within the general population. I feel ashamed that we find ourselves compelled to discuss such matters in 21st century India,” Khera said.
“The Congress has consistently provided representation proportionate to the population. This is the essence of democracy, and this is what truly embodies the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’,” the Congress leader said.
Khera also alleged that the BJP seeks to disempower the country’s Dalits, backward classes, Adivasis (tribals), minorities, and women, and aims to alter the Constitution.