Congress files complaint after BJP calls manifesto “Muslim League imprint” before Lok Sabha Election.

The Congress released its 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto on Friday, with Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge leading the fightback by stating that the BJP is acting out of fear and has filed a complaint with the Election Commission. The Prime Minister retaliated during an election rally in Uttar Pradesh, accusing the Congress’ manifesto of bearing the imprint of the Muslim League and prompting the Congress to respond and file a complaint with the poll panel. The “Muslim League imprint” remark drew a fierce retort from Mr. Kharge, who attacked the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah for “spreading falsehood.”

He also cited historical examples to support his argument and accused the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, of supporting the British and the Muslim League against Indians in the freedom struggle. The Congress had previously commented that the Prime Minister “does not know his history,” pointing out that Jana Sangh founder and BJP ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee himself was part of a coalition government in Bengal with the Muslim League in the early 1940s. The section of the manifesto that sparked this row is a guarantee to increase reservation for marginalized groups, including Dalits, past the Supreme Court’s 50 per cent cap.

BJP President J.P. Nadda criticized the manifesto for its mention of reservation based on religion and beyond 50 per cent, questioning the intended beneficiaries. The Congress’ Pawan Khera and other top leaders met with the poll panel to address these issues and the ongoing dispute between the two parties.