PM Modi leads counter to Opposition claims: ‘NDA respects Constitution… Even Babasaheb can’t change it’

Over the past few days, there is a concerted attempt on the BJP’s part, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to refute the Opposition’s claims that the party is seeking to return to power with a bigger margin with the intention of “changing the Constitution”.

This follows statements by several BJP leaders, including candidates in the Lok Sabha polls, that only “a strong government” could bring the changes needed in the Constitution.

A day after RJD chief Lalu Prasad said that, if re-elected, Modi would change the statute, the PM invoked the Constitution and B R Ambedkar at rallies in both Purnea and Gaya in Bihar, saying he was committed to both. “I feel indebted to the poor, backward classes, the Dalits, as I have come from among them. And I feel indebted to Babasaheb Ambedkar whose Constitution allowed someone like me to reach where I am,” Modi said.

In Gaya, he said: “The Congress and its partners are resorting to lies in the name of the Constitution just to abuse me. The NDA respects the Constitution… even Babasaheb Ambedkar can’t change it… The Constitution, given by Babasaheb and Dr Rajendra Prasad, has made me the PM.”

Modi also accused Opposition leaders of being “against the celebration of Constitution Day” and of “playing politics with the Constitution”. “For us, the Constitution is a matter of aastha (faith),” he said, adding that this election is about punishing those “who are against the Constitution”.

Linking the issue with his attacks on the Opposition of being “anti-Sanatan Dharma”, he said: “Those who abuse Sanatan should listen carefully… 80% to 90% of the people in the Constituent Assembly that made the Constitution were Sanatanis, and those Sanatanis supported Babasaheb Ambedkar in making such a great