Modi hits out at regional parties over Cong tieup

Today those parties that falsely claim to be Lohia’s followers are desperate to form an opportunistic ‘maha-milawat’ with the same Cong (which Lohia opposed) — Narendra Modi, PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose the occasion of 109th birth anniversary of socialist ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia to dub as “reprehensible” efforts by several regional parties — formed on socialist ideology — to cobble up a grand alliance with the Congress.

He also pointed out that Lohia would be “horrified” as most of these parties claim to be his followers.

“Today those parties that falsely claim to be Lohia’s followers are desperate to form an opportunistic ‘maha-milawat’ or adulteration alliances with the same Congress (which Lohia opposed). It is both ironical and reprehensible,” Mr Modi alleged in a blog to mark the 109th birth anniversary of Lohia.

On the other hand, Mr Modi said Lohia would be “proud” of the NDA government, led by the BJP, for following his ideas.

Noting that antiCongressism was Lohia’s “heart and soul”, the Prime Minister said, “Unfortunately, today Lohia would be horrified at the political developments taking place.”

The Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal-Secular, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Sharad Yadav’s Loktantrik Janata Dal were some of the parties formed on socialist ideology, and are currently allied to or are in talks with the Congress for an alliance.

“Lohia’s thoughts inspire us. He wrote about modernising agriculture and empowering farmers, which the NDA government is effectively doing through efforts such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Krishi Sinchai Yojana, e-Nam, Soil Health Cards and more,” he said in the blog shared on Twitter.