People Want Solutions, Not a Competition in Abuses: Mayawati

The “obnoxious” remark by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who said “Modi Ka Baap Bhi Jayega” at a meeting of Congress workers in Patna, continues to snowball into a major controversy.

BJP leaders have condemned Kharge’s remark as highly indecent and unbecoming of a leader of his age and stature, given its abusive nature. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati, too, has voiced concern over the growing trend of personal attacks by political leaders. She said leaders across political parties must exercise responsibility in their political discourse and focus on discussing issues such as unemployment, inflation and poverty rather than making reckless remarks.

In a post in Hindi on X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said the exchange of allegations and counter-allegations had deteriorated to the point of violent rhetoric, warning that such politics could erode public trust in the political system.

“The level of mutual distrust, hatred, bitterness, and allegations and counter-allegations in Indian politics has continuously declined and has now become quite unrestrained, even at the personal level. The discourse has turned unparliamentary, indecent, insulting, narrow-minded and caste-ridden, sometimes even reaching the level of violent rhetoric. This is extremely sad and a matter of grave concern for the country’s dignity, honour and prestige,” Mayawati said.

She further said that people holding top positions should not encourage objectionable and poisonous politics, even if they were unable to show mutual respect.

“Moreover, even at the highest level, those holding positions of authority should not promote objectionable and poisonous politics against one another, even if there is no appropriate mutual respect. Otherwise, particularly because of the growing prevalence of narrow-minded and self-serving politics that is hostile to the poor, public faith in the political system could weaken, which would in no way be in the countries’ or the people’s interest,” she said.

Mayawati said rivalry and intolerance among political leaders were aggravating the situation.

“Ego battles between leaders are making the situation even more difficult. People want solutions to their problems, not a growing competition among parties and leaders to make objectionable remarks,” she added.