Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on October 17 accused the Narendra Modi government of trying to use Indian Army’s popularity for “elections” and alleged that it is something that “no government has done in the past 75 years”.
Mr. Kharge said the Modi government has asked the Army to set up 822 selfie points across the country where its schemes will be promoted.
“By capitalising on the popularity of the brave soldiers of our Indian Army who protect the nation, Modi ji is promoting himself. By politically using the army for elections, the Modi government has done something which has never happened in the last 75 years,” Mr. Kharge said in a post on X.
The Congress chief’s post comes after reports that the Defence Ministry has asked the armed forces to set up “selfie points” across nine cities and promote flagship schemes like Ujwala Yojana, Atmanirbhar Bharat, among others.
“In these tableaux, instead of the story of the bravery of the soldiers, there is an idol-like image of Mr. Modi and praises of his schemes,” he said.
Stating that the Indian National Congress is extremely proud of the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Army, Mr. Kharge said, “The BJP, which gives lessons of nationalism, has hurt the dignity of the Indian Army”.
