NASHIK: PM Narendra Modi asked people on Friday not to be swayed by what he said was Congress' "divisive" plank and sounded the caution of "Ek hain toh safe hain". He accused Congress of indulging in "dangerous politics to divide Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs" not only to weaken the country but for political gain. Modi, who began his campaign in Maharashtra for the Nov 20 polls by addressing rallies in Dhule and Nashik city, also ruled out the possibility of restoration of Article 370 in J&K.
He said Congress and its alliance partners should "stop promoting policies of Pakistan to weaken India". Observers pointed to his choice of Dhule as the venue for the deployment of the "Ek hain toh safe hain" pitch as the campaign theme given the narrow defeat the BJP candidate suffered in Dhule LS seat in the May general election. On Friday, Modi said, "The three former Congress PMs - Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi - were opposed to giving reservations to Dalits, tribals and OBCs.
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had opposed Nehru's decision. Indira Gandhi followed Nehru's policy on this issue and Rajiv Gandhi opposed reservation to OBCs." He added, "At present, Congress's 'Yuvraj' (a reference to Rahul Gandhi) is playing the same game, which is dangerous and will weaken the country, Congress has been indulging in such vicious politics of dividing Dalits, tribals and OBCs as it knows if these communities get united, it would be hugely detrimental for the party.
" Acc.
