PANAJI: AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said Congress leaders in Goa have assured him that they will fight the upcoming elections unitedly and work towards victory, while accusing the government of trying to “scare and suppress” people.
Speaking to reporters after the Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting in South Goa, Kharge said he had spoken to the party’s leaders and received assurances of a united fight.
“Everyone should fight unitedly in the upcoming elections. They all gave me an assurance that we will fight as one and win this time,” he said, adding that he was also happy with the large participation at the Congress meeting in Goa and had heard representations from people from different sections.
Kharge went on to criticise the government’s alleged attempts to intimidate the Opposition, saying, “The government here tries a lot to scare and suppress, and this will not work in a democracy.”
“When your government comes, you should improve your governance. When someone else's government comes, then they too should work under the rules,” he said, stressing the need for a peaceful election.
On representations concerning FCRA, SC/ST and GenZ issues, Kharge said Congress would work on matters within its capacity and consult other parties where required. “Some of the things we can do, some of the things we have to take other parties into confidence. So, we will solve whatever we can do,” he said.
On the FCRA amendment concerning foreign funding to educational societies and other organisations, Kharge said Congress opposed the move and called for legal action against anyone found violating the law. “If there is any mistake, you catch hold of them, put them in jail, file a case. Instead of doing that, stop funding,” he said, alleging that “the biggest funding” goes to the RSS.
On electoral alliances, Kharge said the state Congress leadership would take the first call, with the final decision resting with the party’s high command.
