Remarks on ‘Shakti’ proof of Congress’s antiwomen, antiHindu stand, says Modi
For the second successive day, the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress party and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Shakti, making the issue an important theme in the party’s campaign for the Lok Sabha election.
In Salem, the Prime Minister alleged at a public rally that the Congress and its allies, including Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), were out to “destroy Shakti” but asserted that “they will get destroyed” instead.
Mr. Modi was referring to Mr. Gandhi’s remarks, made at the conclusion of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Mumbai on Sunday, when he had raised concerns about electronic voting machines and Central investigative agencies, in the context of the Opposition’s struggle against the might of the State, noting that “there is a word ‘shakti’ (might) in Hinduism...”
Constituents of the INDIA bloc “would never speak ill about any other faith but would not lose a second in abusing the Hindu religion,” Mr. Modi said. “The election campaign has started, but the INDI alliance’s plan came out in their first rally in Mumbai. Their manifesto, ill intentions have come out. At Shivaji Park in Mumbai, the INDI alliance openly declared they will destroy ‘Shakti’ which is faith.
What does ‘Shakti’ mean in Hinduism — everybody in Tamil Nadu knows that,” he said, even as 11 women dressed as “goddesses” joined him on stage.
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad held a press conference on the same issue in Delhi. “The Congress under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is no longer the Congress of the doctrine and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. This is a Congress party led by a divisive mind, Maoist, and antiHindu thoughts,” he said.