SALAR NEWS

Priyank Kharge flays BJP over minority favouritism allegations

Kharge highlighted comments made by Jamal Siddiqui, the national president of the BJP Minority Morcha, who urged BJP leaders to distribute ‘Saughat-e-Modi’ kits to Muslims during Ramadan.

Salar News

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge

BENGALURU, 17 MARCH

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, has vehemently rejected allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the Congress government is favouring minorities, particularly Muslims, in the state budget. He challenged the opposition to address genuine issues rather than attempting to sow discord along religious lines.

Kharge highlighted comments made by Jamal Siddiqui, the national president of the BJP Minority Morcha, who urged BJP leaders to distribute ‘Saughat-e-Modi’ kits to Muslims during Ramadan. "Siddiqui stated that 32 lakh Ramadan kits are being distributed to Muslims. Is this not favouritism?" he questioned, mocking BJP leaders for their criticism of the Karnataka government’s welfare initiatives for minorities.

Kharge drew attention to the BJP dubbing the recent Karnataka State Budget 2025 a ‘Halal Budget’, accusing Congress of appeasing minority communities. "When the BJP acts for minorities for political gain, it's called ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ But when we do something, they claim we are building Pakistan here," he stated.

Taking a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge recalled Modi’s gesture of sending a chadar to Ajmer Sharif and noted that during visits from Muslim leaders, Modi often posed for selfies. He sarcastically referred to Modi's 2015 visit to Pakistan, which cost Rs 2.86 lakh, questioning the goodwill behind the surprise trip.

Kharge concluded by asserting that the Congress government exemplifies ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, in contrast to the BJP’s selective approach to minority issues.