Modi alleges opposition is conspiring to topple him
PM SAYS CONGRESS SO WEAK IT HAS TO BEG SMALL PARTIES TO FORGE ALLIANCES
Amid controversy over the Rafale aircraft deal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday accused the Congress party of mudslinging and indulging in a campaign of slander and lies against him, and of trying to form an “international alliance” to oust him.
He also slammed the main opposition party, saying it has become so weak that it has to beg small parties to forge alliance in the coming elections.
“What has happened to the 125-year-old Congress? We have decided to fight elections on the issue of development, but they want to fight the election by breaking up the society. They want to capture power through mischief. They want to use a handful of people to spread falsehoods and a storm of lies to capture power,” he said, without referring directly to the Rafale jets deal on which the Congress has raised several questions.
“Best wishes for their new path. But we are following the path of strong organisation,” Modi said, addressing the “Karyakarta Mahakumbh” in pollbound Madhya Pradesh.
‘Nothing left’
The prime minister said the Congress was not succeeding in getting allies and even if they did get any, “I don’t see them succeeding.”
“So they are trying to forge an alliance internationally. Now will a foreign country decide who will be the country’s prime minister? After losing power, you have lost your balance,” he said.
Modi said that there should have been something left in the grand old party “but nothing is left there. Now Congress has become a burden. And saving the country from the Congress is the democratic duty of the people.”
He said it was time for the opposition to change itself.
“I came to politics in 2001. Before that I was a working for the Sangh [RSS]. But since then you used all your power to abuse me. You left no stone unturned to defame me. But the more you threw muck on me, the lotus blossomed more and more. And the people have rejected your claims repeatedly.”
The prime minister’s stinging attack comes in the wake of Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s sharp offensive against Modi, calling him a thief over the Rafale fighter deal after the former French President Francois Hollande’s comment that the Indian government had pushed a private firm as offset partner for Dassault Aviation.
Modi echoed his ministers and party leaders to allege that Rahul Gandhi was in conspiracy with Pakistan to topple him.
So they are trying to forge an alliance internationally. Now will a foreign country decide who will be the country’s prime minister? After losing power, you have lost your balance.”
Narendra Modi | Indian PM