Kolkata Rally: PM Modi, BJP call 'Mahagathbandhan' alliance of corrupt; Opposition hits back with 'Nawab' jibe
Who said what in the 'war of words' after opposition's Kolkata mega rally.
BJP described the united opposition rally organised by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee was described as a gathering of "opportunist elements". BJP said that those who could not see eye-to-eye have come together with the sole agenda of removing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and without any roadmap for the future of the country.
BJP spokesperson Rajiv Partap Rudy termed the gathering an "anti-Modi exercise" and said, "It's a summit of contradictions and conflict." He exuded confidence that BJP would win the next general election and form the government again. Prasad said these opposition parties have no plans for the development of the country and their sole agenda is to defeat Modi.
In a dig at the opposition rally organised by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took a dig at the 'Mahagathbandhan' or grand alliance. He said the BJP has only one MLA in West Bengal, "but still they are so afraid of us because we follow the path of truth that they have gathered parties from across the country and are crying 'Bachao, Bachao, Bachao' (save us)".
Several opposition leaders including Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi hit back at BJP and PM Modi for their remarks. The Trinamool Congress chief said, “He (Modi) is not the ‘Nawab’ and we are not his slaves that we will dance to his tunes.
A lot of hype had been created for several weeks over the turnout at the United India rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, the final crowd count failed to impress political pundits. Veteran political watchers said that although the turnout was impressive it was not as ‘historic’ one as TMC wanted.
Here is 'who said what' in the war of words'after opposition's Kolkata mega rally.
Terming the show of strength by opposition parties in Kolkata on Saturday as 'an alliance among the corrupt', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the BJP had an alliance with 125 crore people of the country.
"This Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance of opposition parties) is a unique type of alliance. This alliance is between the 'Naamdaars'. This alliance is all about nepotism, corruption, scams, negativity, instability, and inequality. This is a very unique merger," said Prime Minister Modi while addressing the BJP's workers of Maharashtra and Goa through video conference.
Taking a potshot at the opposition parties for their concern over the efficacy of electronic voting machines (EVMs), he said: "They have already started making excuses for their defeat in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. EVM is being made a villain."
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said that the alliance of opposition party is the "beginning to an end of arrogance, intolerance, inequity and injustice."
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) is against the people', Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu today said the opposition leaders are not "bonded labourers" who would dance to the PM's tune.
Mamata Banerjee said: "He (Modi) is not the 'Nawab' and we are not his slaves that we will dance to his tunes. We are free citizens of this country. He wants us to be his servants, but we are not."
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who was present at the tea party hosted by Ms Banerjee after the united opposition rally in Kolkata, added: "We are only the servants of people of this country".
(Photo Credits: PTI)
"The present situation in the country is such that if there is no Modi, there will be anarchy," said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar. Javadekar slammed the opposition leaders who took part in the United India rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.
"The rally showed opposition's nervousness. They came together and formed a committee on EVM but did not form any committee for a manifesto or common minimum program. It is clear that they are already trying to find an excuse for their possible defeat."
(Photo Credits: PTI)
Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday over his "bachao, bachao" swipe at the Opposition, saying the cries of help were of people "begging" to be freed from "your tyranny and incompetence". Gandhi's attack came a day after Modi, taking a dig at the Opposition rally was organised.
"Your Highness, The cries for help are the cries of millions of unemployed youth; of farmers in distress; of oppressed Dalits & Adivasis; of persecuted minorities; of small businessmen in ruin; begging to be freed from your tyranny & incompetence. In 100 days they will be free," Gandhi said in a tweet.
(Photo Credits: PTI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said on Saturday that a people’s coalition will ensure Narendra Modi’s victory in 2019 and pull the curtains down on the ragtag 'Mahagathbandhan' stitched by Opposition parties, whose leaders are dreaming of being Prime Minister.
(Photo Credits: PTI)
Firing a fresh salvo at the BJP leadership and the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, disgruntled party leader Shatrughan Sinha on Sunday said the rally at Kolkata where he shared the stage with a host of opposition leaders was aimed at "saving Indian democracy from being ruined".
(Photo Credits: DNA)
The recent TMC-led mega opposition rally in Kolkata did not adequately represent the interests of the Muslim minority, senior SP leader Azam Khan has said. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav did not participate in the rally.
“The representation of the second biggest population or the Muslim minority was merely namesake. Only one leader from Kashmir and another from Assam attended the rally. Muslims are worried about their representation,” Khan said.
(Photo Credits: DNA)
Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav on Sunday said the 'Mahagathbandhan' is a "big joke" and filled with "hollow people" with no ideology. "There was a huge gathering (in Kolkata). But, where is the ideology? What is your agenda? There was no discussion on that. You had no talks on the problems the farmers are facing and on unemployment. I believe this coalition lacks vision," Yadav told news agency.
(Photo Credits: DNA)