Kharge urges Maharashtra voters to reject leaders who took bribes to switch allegiance | India News – Times of India

MUMBAI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday urged voters in Maharashtra to defeat leaders who he said had accepted substantial bribes to switch allegiances. He called them ’50 khoke’. The term “50 khoke” (tills) came into use after Prime Minister Eknath Shinde left the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022 to form a government with the BJP.
Speaking at a meeting for candidates of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Vasai near Mumbai, Kharge, without naming names of MLAs supporting Shinde, claimed that each person was offered Rs 50 crore to switch allegiance and urged voters to send a clear message in the November 20 elections.
The elections will be held on November 20 in 288 constituencies in Maharashtra and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
He criticized the BJP-led Mahayuti for indulging in divisive politics through his slogans “batenge toh katenge” (divided, we will perish) and “ek hain toh safe hai” (we are safe when we are one) .
Invoking Maharashtra’s legacy of legendary personalities like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Congress leader warned that some factions are trying to fragment society along caste and religious lines.
“The Congress and the MVA stand for unity and the principles of the Constitution of Dr. Ambedkar, while the BJP is trying to create division,” he alleged.
Kharge criticized the government’s economic policies and alleged that the BJP-led coalition has severely affected the lives of farmers, workers, women and youth.
“Under this government, inflation and unemployment are at an all-time high and farmers are struggling to get fair prices for their produce,” he said.
He accused the BJP of corruption and alleged that Maharashtra had witnessed significant financial misconduct in the last two and a half years.
He said the MVA would fulfill its promises through its “5 Guarantees” and “Maharashtra Nama” initiatives and predicted the end of the Mahayuti on November 20.
Echoing Kharge’s sentiments, Congress leader Anant Gadgil criticized the Narendra Modi government for neglecting the needs of Maharashtra.
Despite being the largest contributor to the national exchequer, Maharashtra received only Rs 8,000 crore. At the same time, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh were allocated much more, he said, questioning the ruling Mahayuti’s silence on this disparity.
Gadgil also criticized the government’s approach to drug control, pointing out that there has been a significant increase in drug seizures, while Prime Minister Modi promised a “drug-free India” by 2047.