In a recent public rally in Rajasthan following the Phase 1 voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a speech from 2006 by his predecessor, Manmohan Singh, to launch a fierce attack on the Congress party. PM Modi claimed that Singh's government had advocated for Muslims having the first right to the nation's resources, warning against potential wealth redistribution to "infiltrators" and families with more children if the Congress were to come into power. However, commentators have pointed out that this interpretation of Manmohan Singh's speech might be a misrepresentation, as Singh emphasized minorities having the "first claim on resources" as part of development efforts to uplift marginalized communities.
In response to PM Modi's allegations, the Congress party accused him of spreading lies and engaging in a shameful act of fear-mongering. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Modi for diverting attention from pressing national issues and stooping to a new low in political discourse. The Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge labeled PM Modi's remarks as "hate speech" and expressed concern over the Prime Minister's conduct, stating that no other Indian Prime Minister in history had diminished the dignity of the office as much as Modi.
Former PM Manmohan Singh's speech, cited by PM Modi, highlighted the need for equitable resource allocation to uplift various marginalized groups, including minorities like the Muslim community. Singh's speech outlined the priorities as agriculture, irrigation, health, education, rural infrastructure, and programs aimed at empowering SCs, STs, OBCs, women, and children. The term "first claim on resources" was clarified by the government at the time to encompass all priority areas for development and upliftment, including programs for minority empowerment, countering the BJP's criticism of the UPA government over this statement.