The nation’s secular credentials were under threat after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by its Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, alleged Mukul Vasnik, the general secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC).
At the reception organised for the Janapaksha Yatra led by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran at Aluva on Friday, Mr. Vasnik accused Mr. Modi of spreading the ideology of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the country. Such ideals were against the values enshrined in the Indian constitution, he said.
Stating that the Congress workers need to stay vigil against efforts to dilute the secular values of the country, Mr. Vasnik alleged BJP had opposed the policies of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) when it was in the opposition. They have copied and adopted the schemes and policies of the UPA government after coming to power, he said.
Claiming that the Congress had always tried to uphold secularism in the country, Mr. Vasnik also blamed the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for nurturing a culture of political violence in the State.
Praising Mr. Sudheeran’s janapaksha yatra as a journey with a difference, Mr. Vasnik pointed out that the KPCC president had been able to raise several social and environmental issues affecting the public since the yatra began on November 4.
He also said the yatra was not an attempt to gain power but to serve the public.
Speaking at the receptions held across Ernakulam on Friday, Mr. Sudheeran said the Left Democratic Front remains a divided family, thanks to the divergent views expressed by its constituents on various issues.
The agitations organised by the Left front against the Congress-led United Democratic Front had failed miserably. They were now engaged in an ‘adjustment agitation’, he said.
Mr. Sudheeran said the government’s liquor policy had brought down road accidents besides improving the law and order situation in the State.
Earlier, Congress leaders and workers organised reception for the yatra at Angamaly, Aluva, Eloor, Pathalam, Paravur and in the city on Friday.
The programme will resume after a two-day break on Monday and it will be received at Thoppumpady, Vyttila, Maradu and Piravom.
