“We should celebrate the diversity of the Indian people, we should celebrate the diversity of the world’s population, whether you’re African, Indian or Chinese, it shouldn’t matter.” Tharoor added: “You are all citizens of the world.”
Tharoor’s comments come amid a heated election campaign, during which he has accused Prime Minister Modi’s campaign of showing desperation, suggesting the BJP senses trouble in several states. He sharply criticized Prime Minister Modi’s campaign tactics, saying the prime minister’s approach “belittles the distinguished office he occupies.” He noted that Prime Minister Modi’s strategy is an attempt to divert attention from the real issues facing Indian voters.
The Congress MP said the signs are encouraging for his camp rather than the ruling party. He highlighted a surprising degree of absenteeism and apathy among the BJP’s traditional voters, indicating a volatile campaign on both sides.
“What we take away from all three places and I have been campaigning elsewhere since the Kerala vote, what we take away everywhere is that the BJP strongholds have witnessed a surprising degree of absenteeism and even apathy of the share of their traditional voters,” he said.
Tharoor questioned the effectiveness of Prime Minister Modi’s promises, pointing out the lack of job creation and economic growth during the BJP’s tenure. He highlighted the falling incomes of the majority of Indians and the failure of government initiatives such as Skill India and Make in India. The Congress MP stressed that elections should be focused on the welfare of common voters and their self-interest.
Tharoor discussed the Congress’s plans if elected, highlighting the implementation of five NYAY schemes for social justice and the need to undo the damage done by the BJP in the last 10 years. He criticized the BJP’s governance, saying: “Unemployment is at an all-time high, farmers’ incomes have not increased even by 10%” and pointing out: “Make In India was the Prime Minister’s slogan, but the manufacturing sector declined as a percentage of GDP. GDP from 13% to 10%.
Expressing optimism over the election outcome, Tharoor predicted that the Kerala Congress and the BJP would get zero seats in Tamil Nadu. He highlighted the BJP’s poor performance in at least four southern states and stressed that “the election is about the common voter and their livelihood.”
“But without exception, I think for the five southern states, we are seeing a relatively poor performance from the BJP and the NDA and a very good performance from the Congress Party and the INDIA bloc,” he added .
“It’s about whether you feel you have gained or suffered during these 10 years of Modi’s misrule,” Tharoor concluded.
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