Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, 91, has issued an emotional appeal to Punjab voters ahead of the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, urging them to protect democracy and the Constitution from what he describes as repeated assaults by a despotic regime.

Economic Critique: Decade of Turmoil

In a three-page open letter, Dr. Singh lamented the "unimaginable turmoil" in the Indian economy over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. He criticized the implementation of demonetization, a flawed GST, and the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which he claims have resulted in subpar GDP growth and widened inequality.

Comparative Economic Analysis

Dr. Singh presented a comparison of economic performance, highlighting that average GDP growth under the BJP has plunged to below six percent, compared to about eight percent during his Congress-led UPA government. He pointed out the significant rise in unemployment and inflation, contributing to economic disparity.

Farmers' Struggles and Government Criticism

Dr. Singh addressed the ongoing struggles of farmers, criticizing the government's harsh response to the farmers' protests and unfulfilled promises. He contrasted this with the UPA's record of loan waivers and increased MSP, and emphasized Congress's commitment to legally guaranteeing MSP and supporting farmers with stable policies.

Income Disparity and Youth Unemployment

Dr. Singh expressed concern over rising income disparity and high unemployment among the youth. He referenced a report by the World Inequality Lab showing that India's richest now hold a larger share of national income than at any time in the past century. He outlined Congress's plans to address these issues by filling government vacancies, reserving jobs for women, and establishing fast-track courts for exam paper leaks.

Criticism of Agniveer Scheme

The former Prime Minister criticized the BJP's Agniveer military recruitment scheme, arguing that it undermines the value of patriotism and service. He asserted that the scheme should be scrapped if Congress wins the election, despite the government's defense of its success.

Call to Punjab's Warrior Spirit

With all 13 of Punjab's Lok Sabha seats voting on Friday, Dr. Singh called on the state's voters to draw on their warrior spirit and democratic values to protect the nation. He reminded Punjabis of their history of sacrifice and condemned the BJP for its treatment of Punjab and its people.

Condemnation of PM Modi's Rhetoric

Dr. Singh also criticized Prime Minister Modi for lowering the dignity of public discourse, accusing him of using hateful and unparliamentary language to target specific sections of society and the opposition. He referenced Modi's controversial speech in Rajasthan, which led to complaints for violating the Model Code of Conduct.

Final Call to Action

Dr. Singh concluded his letter with a call to voters to "save our beloved nation from these forces of discord," urging them to see through the current government's narrative and vote to protect India's democratic ethos.