Rajnandgaon: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of needlessly sparking the India-Bharat controversy, stating that the party is attempting to divide the nation. Kharge emphasized that the Congress is focused on uniting Bharat. He made these remarks on Friday at the 'Bharose Ka Sammelan' event held in poll-bound Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district. Also in attendance were Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and other senior leaders.

Kharge pointed out, “If the BJP hates the word India, then why has it named schemes like ‘Startup India’, Digital India’, Skill India’ and ‘Make in India’?”

He further highlighted, “We have formed an alliance INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and now BJP is saying the country’s name India should be changed to Bharat. There is both India and Bharat in the Constitution itself. Then why are they triggering a dispute over it ?”

Kharge expressed, “We love Bharat. Rahul Ji took out a foot march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and named the yatra Bharat Jodo. We are engaged in uniting Bharat and you (BJP) are engaged in breaking it.”

He questioned, “If you (BJP) hate India, then why has Modi ji given words like Startup India, Digital India, Khelo India and Make in India? We have to fight against this mentality (of BJP).”

The controversy over the name change arose when Droupadi Murmu referred to her position as ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the customary ‘President of India’ in invitations for a G20 dinner in New Delhi. This sparked widespread uproar, with the opposition alleging that the Modi-led government was planning to drop ‘India’ and stick with just ‘Bharat’ as the country’s name.

Kharge also praised the developmental efforts of the Chhattisgarh government, asserting that it is not Modi’s Gujarat model, but the model of Congress, Bhupesh Baghel, and his cabinet. He stated, “Modi ji should see the work of Baghel government, then only he can realize how work can be done in five years.”

Responding to questions about the political controversy surrounding DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s recent remarks about Sanatan Dharma, Kharge clarified, “I have not come here to speak about anyone’s religion. I have come to participate in the programme (Bharose ka Sammelan) meant for the poor. Religion and politics are different things and there is no need to mix them. I don’t want to debate on it.”

Both the DMK and the Congress are part of the opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.