The Congress party escalated its criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday following actor-politician Kangana Ranaut’s controversial call for the reinstatement of the three farm laws that were repealed after widespread protests. The Congress has demanded that the BJP take decisive action against Ranaut if her statements do not reflect the party’s stance.
Kharge Predicts Strong Electoral Response
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that Ranaut’s remarks could have serious electoral consequences for the BJP, particularly in states like Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, where polls are approaching.
“The anti-farmer BJP and Modi government still fail to acknowledge their serious wrongdoing, even after the loss of 750 farmers’ lives. They are now discussing the reintroduction of the three controversial farm laws, which the Congress party strongly opposes,” Kharge stated. He highlighted the aggressive measures taken by the Modi government against protesting farmers, including the use of vehicles, barbed wire, and teargas from drones, which he argued left a deep scar in the collective memory of India’s farming community.
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Ranaut Retracts, Acknowledges Party Alignment
Facing backlash, Ranaut retracted her statements, clarifying that her views on the farm laws were personal opinions and did not represent the BJP’s official position. She admitted that as a member of the BJP, her public statements should be aligned with the party’s policies and not merely reflect her personal beliefs.
In the video that sparked the controversy, Ranaut had called for the farm laws to be brought back, arguing that they were in the best interest of the farmers and that the laws should be reinstated to ensure their prosperity. “Farmers are a pillar of strength in India’s progress. Only in some states, they had objected to farm laws. I appeal with folded hands that farm laws should be brought back in the interest of farmers,” she said.
Congress Demands BJP Condemnation and Action
Reacting sharply to Ranaut’s comments, Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil criticized the BJP for not distancing itself from her remarks. He suggested that Ranaut, who received a ticket allegedly at the behest of Prime Minister Modi, should be condemned by the BJP if her views were not in line with the party’s position.
“More than 750 were martyred, and this is an insult to those martyred. If I make a serious statement that is not in line with my party, the party would expel me. Has the BJP expelled her? If you do not agree with her remarks, why are you not expelling her?” Gohil questioned during a press conference at the AICC headquarters.
As the political storm brews, Kharge asserted that the upcoming elections in key states would serve as a referendum on the BJP’s handling of the farmers’ protests and its subsequent policies. He pointed to Prime Minister Modi’s previous remarks in Parliament, where he referred to farmers as “andolanjeevi” (professional protesters) and “parasites,” predicting that these comments would come back to haunt the BJP at the polls.
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