Non-performers should rest, retire: Kharge's stern warning to partymen at AICC session

IN a stern warning to non-performing leaders, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said those who do not help in party work should take rest and those who don't fulfil their responsibilities should retire.

- ASIM KAMAL & SANJEEV CHOPRA

In his inaugural address at the AICC session on the banks of the Sabarmati river here, Kharge also alleged "fraud" in elections and said the Maharashtra polls were won like this as he made a strong pitch for return to ballot paper. He attacked the Election Commission for not stopping the "irregularities" and instead taunting the parties raising questions.

He also hit out at the ruling BJP government accusing it of inciting communalism by raising 500-years-old issues and seeking to divide people and promote hatred among them, instead of preparing for future challenges.

Such dangerous thinking should never be supported, Kharge said.

Talking tough, he said, "I also want to say that those who do not help in party work, need to rest, those who do not fulfil their responsibilities must retire," amid applause from Congress leaders and workers.

"There is fraud happening in elections. With the advancement of electronic technology, developed countries of the world have abandoned EVMs and moved towards ballot paper. But our Election Commission is not ready to take cognizance of this. We saw in the Maharashtra elections that fake voter lists are being prepared," he alleged.