Modi launches stinging attack on Congress in Parliament
COINS NEW ACRONYMS FOR BC AND AD TO TAKE A SWIPE AT OPPOSITION PARTY
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday attacked the opposition Congress, alleging that those who imposed Emergency, “bullied” the judiciary and insulted the Army were accusing him of destroying institutions.
He asserted that his government is known for honesty and transparency and works for the poor.
Modi said in poll year, leaders have compulsions to make charges but lamented that while slamming Modi and BJP, some people “start attacking India”.
“Congress imposed Emergency, but they say Modi is destroying institutions. Congress insults Army, calls the Army chief a ‘goonda’ but they say Modi is destroying institutions,” the PM said replying to a debate on motion of thanks to President’s address in Lok Sabha.
The Congress misused Article 356 to dismiss state governments several times. Indira Gandhi herself dismissed state governments 50 times, Modi said.
He alleged that the opposition’s ability to listen to the truth has diminished. The PM said the people of India have seen the work a government with a full majority can do.
“They do not want a ‘mahamilavat’ (adulterated) government of those who assembled in Kolkata,” he said.
“A government has to work for the people of India, a government has to be sensitive to the people’s aspirations. There is no room for corruption.
“We speak truth, be it in country or outside, in Parliament or outside but your ability to listen to truth has diminished,” he said, targeting the opposition.
Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said for some BC stands for ‘Before Congress’, when nothing happened, and AD for ‘After Dynasty’, when everything happened.”
Amid BJP’s accusations of harassment and intimidation by the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress, Modi is scheduled to address a public meeting in Jalpaiguri district’s Churabhandar today, in a bid to give a further fillip to the saffron outfit’s Lok Sabha poll campaign in northern West Bengal.
Good show
The BJP’s big hopes for a good show in the eastern state, where the party has been traditionally weak, hinges around a good performance in the eight seats spread across seven North Bengal districts.
It has lined up a series of big public meetings in the region by drafting top national leaders as part of its ongoing February campaign blitz across Bengal.
After bringing Amit Shah in Malda, Rajnath Singh in Falakata (Alipurduar) and Mathabhanga (Cooch Behar) and arranging telephonic address of Yogi Adityanath in Balurghat (South Dinajpur) and Raiganj (North Dinajpur) after his helicopter was not given landing permission, BJP first round of campaign in north Bengal reaches a climax with Modi’s programme.
The prime minister’s visit comes in the backdrop of the surcharged political atmosphere in the state, with Mamata Banerjee taking to the streets with all her might to throw the gauntlet at the BJP, and to Modi in particular, after an ugly faceoff between the CBI and the Kolkata police over the federal agency’s attempt to grill police commissioner Rajeev Kumar in the Ponzi scheme scam.
There are no prizes for guessing that Modi would return the fire with all his customary gusto at Churabhandar — in Maynaguri block and over 500km from state capital Kolkata. The Ponzi scam issue and alleged involvement of Trinamool leaders in the scandal are likely to feature prominently in his speech.