Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda launched a blistering critique of the Congress party’s manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, accusing the party of harboring radical intentions. Gowda, who leads the Janata Dal (Secular) and is aligned with the BJP in Karnataka, voiced skepticism over the Congress’s proposed policies and suggested they could destabilize the nation.
In a recent statement, Deve Gowda echoed the BJP’s concerns that the Congress party might aim to seize and redistribute people’s wealth if it comes to power. This criticism came after the Congress manifesto sparked controversy, with the party clarifying that it only spoke of a social-economic caste census, not direct redistribution of wealth.
Gowda likened Congress’s alleged plans to revolutionary tactics used by Maoist leaders, suggesting that Rahul Gandhi’s intention to conduct a wealth survey and redistribute resources mirrored radical ideologies. “Rahul Gandhi wants to do a wealth survey and redistribute wealth. Does he think he is a Maoist leader? Is he dreaming of a revolution?” Gowda remarked.
Deve Gowda also accused Rahul Gandhi of disrespecting previous Congress prime ministers who had implemented market reforms, suggesting that Gandhi’s rhetoric implied that their contributions to the nation’s economy were wrong. “By speaking of wealth redistribution, Rahul Gandhi has insulted and humiliated two Congress Prime Ministers who brought market reforms and increased the wealth of this nation. He has torn up their economic reforms like he had torn up an ordinance issued by the Manmohan Singh government,” he added.
Addressing Gandhi’s pledge to create 30 lakh additional central government jobs, Gowda raised doubts about the feasibility of the proposal. “There are only 40 lakh sanctioned jobs. How can he overnight add 30 lakh more jobs?” he asked.
Deve Gowda also questioned the stance of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who chaired the party’s manifesto committee. “Does he agree with Rahul Gandhi’s immature economic ideas?” he inquired.
Deve Gowda’s JD(S) is contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka in partnership with the BJP. His strong words underscore the tensions surrounding the Congress party’s manifesto and signal a growing political battle over the direction of India’s economy and social policies. The criticism from the former prime minister reflects a broader debate on governance and economic strategies as the elections draw near.
