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The cold play while the poor suffer: Rahul Gandhi mocks PM Modi addressing Global Citizen Festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the time to address a rock concert, but not Parliament.

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Coldplay performing in Mumbai
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the time to address a rock concert, but not Parliament where the opposition has been demanding his response to the problems being faced by the people after demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, Congress said. "55 dead. Millions in queues. Crores suffering. Modiji has no time for Parliament but has time to address rock concert instead. "Tragic indeed Modiji! As India suffers, bleeds and several die, your self-promotion in a rock concert is almost cold-blooded... Self-styled 'Rock Star' rocks India's poor to misery, evades the Parliament & addresses Rock Concert via video. Way to fight black money," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.

Meanwhile, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “The cold play while the poor suffer!” 

Modi appeared in a video address to thousands of people who gathered in suburban Bandra Kurla complex in Mumbai for Global Citizen Festival.

The festival featured performances by international as well as Indian celebrities.

Apart from Coldplay, Jay-Z, Demi Lovato and The Vamps, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, A R Rahman, Ranveer Singh and Katrina Kaif were among the performers.

"India stands in lines, poor languish in queues for withdrawing their own money. Modiji addressing Coldplay rock concert," Surjewala said.

Modi is absconding from Parliament, refuses to face the House despite the fact that the Rajya Sabha has been demanding reply from him, he said.

"The government should be accountable to Parliament, it is unfortunate for the country that Modi doesn't feel need to address the House," he said.

Later, replying to a question on Priyanka Gandhi's involvement in campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Surjewala said the final call will be taken by the party President and Vice-President.

 

With his government under opposition attack over demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted he has public support for the "second cleanliness drive" which has been launched against black money.
 

"These days, whether it is the cleaning across the border or of the vaults full of black money, everything is going on in full swing. I am getting your invaluable support for the second cleanliness drive," Modi said referring to the demonetisation decision of his government aimed at tackling black money, corruption and terror funding as he addressed the Global Citizen Festival here.

The Prime Minister was also apparently referring to the cross-border surgical strikes launched by the army after the Uri terror attack and a string of retaliatory action taken by it following ceasefire violations which have resulted in military casualties across the northern frontier.

Modi also mentioned about the success of the 'Swachh Bharat' campaign he had started to promote hygiene and cleanliness.
He quoted lines from Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan's iconic "The times they are a-changin", a song which had become emblematic of change, to make a veiled reference to the political situation in the country in the backdrop of the demonetisation move.

"Back in 2014, I had enjoyed attending the Global Citizen Festival in the beautiful Central Park of New York. However, this time, my schedule did not permit me to come in person," Modi said in a video address to thousands of people who had gathered for the event in suburban Bandra Kurla complex.

"I have had my own set of idols. But you will be perhaps more familiar with Bob Dylan, Norah Jones, Chris Martin and A R Rehman," Modi said.

"So to quote from one of Dylan's transformative anthems which holds as much meaning today as it did when it was first sung in the 1960.

"Come mothers and fathers, throughout the land, and don't criticise, what you can't understand. Your sons and your daughters, are beyond your command. Your old road is rapidly agin'. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand, for the times they are a-changin'" Modi said, quoting Dylan's famous lines from the song released in 1964.

"Elders must learn from these words of wisdom," he said.

"We better get out of the way as indeed the times they are a changing," added the Prime Minister.

"Artistes have often inspired generations. My dear young friends, I'm convinced we can and we will build a Swachh Bharat free of all forms of filth within one generation," he said.

"You bring an energy and idealism that is unparallelled," he said, adding, "you can be the change you want".

At the outset, Modi said, "I know that I stand between you and Coldplay and so will make this brief.

 

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