Pune: Staring at defeat, Congress is harping on changing of Constitution: Chandrakant Patil
State Minister inaugurates Samvidhan Rath
Pune : State Higher and Technical Education, Textile and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil came down heavily on the Congress and other opposition parties. He said, “The Opposition, including the Congress, are clearly facing defeat in the election. Hence, they are harping on the allegation that the Constitution will be changed. The Congress frequently amended the Constitution for its political benefit.”
Patil was speaking after inaugurating the Samvidhan Rath (Constitution Chariot) conceptualised by Atul Salve and Sukhdev Adagale. RPI leaders Parshuram Wadekar, Adv Mandar Joshi, Balasaheb Khankal, Bapu Dhakale, NCP (AP) leader Adv Rahul Mhaske, Bharat Bhosale, Mayatai Poste, Ujwalatai Sarvagod, Jitesh Damodare, Atul Salve, Dr Sandeep Butala, Shyam Deshpande, Chhayatai Marne, Shiv Sena (BT) leader Mayur Pansare, MNS leaders Ganesh Shinde, Raj Tamboli, Ashutosh Vaishampayan, Deepak Pawar, Anuradha Yedke, Sukhdev Adagale, Ajay Marne, Dinesh Mathwad, Dinesh Mazire, Nandkumar Gosavi and Surekha Jagtap were present.
Chandrakant Patil said, “We are grateful to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. We got the Constitution in 1950 after Independence was declared on August 15, 1947. It enlists Articles which guide as to how the states and the country is governed. Dr Ambedkar worked very hard to prepare its draft, which was tabled before the Parliament on November 26, 1949. It was adopted on January 26, 1950. Modi ji declared November 26, on the day Dr Ambedkar presented it before the Parliament, as Samvidhan Divas. The Constitution is worshipped on this day across the country. Its Preamble is read out on that day. The Congress never honoured Dr Ambedkar in such a manner.”
He said, “Women and the poor got the equal opportunity to vote due to the Constitution given by Dr Ambedkar. Other countries in the world prepared their constitutions inspired by the Indian Constitution.”
Hitting out at the Congress, Patil said that the Constitution was amended several times from the time of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru. The Congress changed its very core. Indira Gandhi amended it to save her chair. Moreover, she dismissed state governments by misusing its various Articles. On the other hand, Narendra Modi ji gave 10- pc reservations to the poor in government service. He also granted a 33 pc quota to women. Atal ji gave the Right to Education to all. Hon. Modi ji abolished Art 370 for the security of the country.”
Patil added, “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in his recent rally in the city, said that his party would increase the cap on the quota. Why didn’t they do it when the party was ruling the country and the State for so many years? The Marathas could be given reservations from the OBC quota in 1992. The then Chief Minister Sharad Pawar did not allow this to happen. The Opposition is spreading rumours that the Constitution will be changed as they are staring at the defeat. The Modi government developed the five places associated with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar as the pilgrim centres. Why didn’t the Congress do this? Now, the Dalit community is aware of this.”
RPI leader Parshuram Wadekar said, “The country’s popular Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji worships the Constitution. He started a two-day workshop in the Lok Sabha to make every MP understand its importance. The Congress never took any initiative in this regard. A person from a common family like Narendra Modi ji could become the Prime Minister of the country due to the Constitution drafted by Dr Ambedkar. The Congress cannot fathom the fact that a person belonging to a lower caste has become the Prime Minister. “
Wadekar added, “The Congress defeated Dr Ambedkar in the elections held in Bhandara and Mumbai. Now, they are spreading lies that the Constitution will be changed. It is not correct. The Constitution is not in danger, they are in danger. PM Modi gave the land for Indu Mill. Therefore, Hon Modi ji is the real protector of the Constitution.”
Adv Mandar Joshi compered the programme. Jitesh Damodar proposed a vote of thanks.