Govt would have altered Constitution if they had stronger mandate: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday stated that if the BJP had secured a stronger mandate in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the government would have initiated steps to alter the Constitution.

Speaking during a debate on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution's adoption in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi described the Constitution as a "protective shield" of justice, unity, and freedom of expression. She alleged that the government had spent the last decade trying to undermine it.

"This government is systematically working to weaken the reservation policy through lateral entry and privatisation. Had the Lok Sabha election results been different, the government would have started rewriting the Constitution," said Gandhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad.

She claimed the ruling party's newfound emphasis on the Constitution was merely an attempt to placate the electorate. "They are now chanting 'Constitution' because they know that the people of this country will defend it at all costs," she remarked.

Highlighting the growing demand for a caste-based census, Gandhi said the election results compelled even the BJP to address the issue. "When the opposition called for a caste-based census, their response during the campaign was to trivialise it, talking about cattle and 'mangalsutra' thefts," she said, referring to remarks made during the election. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi commended Priyanka’s speech, stating that it was more impactful than his maiden address in the House.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 293 seats in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. The BJP secured 240 seats, just 32 above the halfway mark of 272. The debate on the Constitution took place during the Winter Session of Parliament as part of discussions on its role in shaping India over the past 75 years.