Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized opposition parties for engaging in vote bank politics, highlighting the recent Calcutta High Court verdict on OBC certificates issued in Bengal since 2010 under the Trinamool Congress government. The court's decision was seen as a blow to the ruling party, and PM Modi characterized it as a rebuke to what he termed the "Khan Market gang."
Referring to Khan Market, a posh shopping area in South Delhi, PM Modi used the term "Khan Market gang" as a way to mock political adversaries associated with elitism and privilege.
At a poll rally, PM Modi described the court's ruling as a setback for the INDI alliance, emphasizing that the OBC certificates were canceled due to alleged issuance to Muslims for the sake of the Muslim vote bank. He criticized what he called the politics of appeasement and vote bank politics, accusing the opposition of prioritizing minority appeasement over national interest.
PM Modi alleged that certain political factions prioritize Muslim interests over others, advocating for preferential treatment in resource allocation and government benefits.
He accused the opposition of forming alliances like the INDI alliance to oppose laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and measures against triple talaq, suggesting that such actions are aimed at pleasing their vote bank.
PM Modi claimed that whenever he addresses issues related to Muslims, his opponents label it as communal politics, while he argues that he is merely exposing the opposition's communal agenda.
Regarding the Calcutta High Court's verdict, PM Modi emphasized the illegality of the OBC list prepared after 2010 and the unconstitutional nature of certain provisions of the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012.
However, the court clarified that its ruling would not affect the services of citizens from the affected classes who are already employed or have benefited from reservation policies in the state.
