Rahul Gandhi in Kolhapur.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Mumbai: In an indirect attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that the people of "anti-Constitution ideology" had not invited President Droupadi Murmu for the inauguration of the new Parliament complex in New Delhi and the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya.
"There are two types of ideologies - one which wants to destroy the Constitution and the another that wants to protect the Constitution...they did not invite an Adivasi President for the inauguration of new Parliament and Ram Mandir," Gandhi said in Kolhapur on Saturday.
Gandhi also said that he believes the Constitution is a translation of what Shivaji and Shahuji said.
On a brief visit to the historic city, Gandhi paid rich tributes to legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and iconic social reformer Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj.
Unveiling a statue of the Maratha warrior, Gandhi said that Shivaji Maharaj's sayings are reflected in the Constitution.
"Constitution is the voice of Shivaji Maharaj. Country belongs to everyone was Shivaji Maharaj's message to the world. This ideological fight is old, Congress party is fighting for what Shivaji Maharaj fought for," Gandhi added.
He also attacked the CM Eknath Shinde-led Maha Yuti government over the collapse of a statute of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj months after it was inaugurated by PM Modi. The incident had led to huge political and social outrage.
"There is no use of bowing before Shivaji Maharaj after scaring people and destroying Constitution," institutions, he said.
Both Rahul Gandhi and PM Modi are in poll-bound Maharashtra on Saturday. Modi will launch projects worth Rs 23,300 crore in agricultural and animal husbandry sector at rally in Washim, at 12 noon.
He will also inaugurate and lay foundation stone for Rs 32,800 crore development projects at event in Thane before flagging off train from BKC Metro Station in Mumbai.
(With PTI inputs)