By Wire Staff

The BJP attempted to distance itself from Hegde’s remarks, saying they were his “personal views”. However, no comment was made on whether action would be taken against Hegde, or what another reason for the 400+ seat slogan may be.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s Karnataka MP Anant Kumar Hegde on Saturday (March 9) said there was a specific reason the saffron party is aiming for more than 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections – so that it has a two-thirds majority in parliament to amend the Constitution.
“Modi ji said that we need to secure more than 400 seats this time. Why 400? We currently have a 2/3 majority in the Lok Sabha, but we lack the same in the Rajya Sabha where our majority is lesser. Additionally, we lack the required majority in the state governments,” Hegde said. “If we are to make amendments to the Constitution, like the ones Congress made, twisting the fundamental principles of the Constitution and introducing provisions and laws that oppressed Hindus, then this majority won’t suffice.”
The BJP has been using the slogan of ‘Abki baar, 400 paar (This time, we will win more than 400 seats)’ while campaigning for the upcoming election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too has used this slogan in his speeches. However, this is the first time a senior leader has so openly explained why this number is important for the party.
Hegde’s comments created an immediate controversy, with opposition leaders saying Hegde had revealed the BJP’s “hidden agenda”.
“Hegde’s statement has exposed the ulterior motives of the BJP to replace Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s version of the Constitution with their own, influenced by the Manusmriti. The BJP’s version would reinforce the evil practices of the caste system. The BJP will remove all reservations for OBCs and Dalits if they come to power. His statement is a direct attack on OBCs and Dalits,” Karnataka chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said.
“If Modi disagrees with Hegde’s opinions, he should first expel him from the party. Failing to act against Hegde suggests the Prime Minister’s implicit agreement. It seems Modi’s public declarations of allegiance to the Constitution are merely superficial,” he continued.
“The statement of the BJP MP that he needs 400 seats to change the Constitution is a public declaration of the hidden intentions of Narendra Modi and his ‘Sangh Parivar’,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said. “…We will not let these conspiracies succeed along with the dreams of the freedom heroes and will continue to fight for the democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution till our last breath.”
On Sunday, the BJP attempted to distance itself from Hegde’s remarks, saying they were his “personal views”. The BJP “reaffirms our unwavering commitment to uphold the nation’s Constitution and will ask for an explanation from Shri Hegde regarding his comments”, the party said in a statement. However, no comment was made on whether action would be taken against Hegde, or what another reason for the 400+ seat slogan may be.

Courtesy: The Wire