As several leaders of the opposition along with their supporters, especially from the Congress party, recently defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, on the occasion of the saffron party's foundation day, stated "Why people have been joining BJP" lately. Addressing a public rally in Saharanpur, PM Modi said the grand old party's focus has always been on "earning commission" while his government is "on a mission".
Stating why people have been joining the BJP lately, PM Modi said, "BJP has won the trust of the people, BJP has won the hearts of the people. The biggest reason for this is that the BJP does not follow politics but follows national policy. For BJP, the nation comes first, this is not BJP's slogan but our article of faith".
Modi further said that I.N.D.I.A bloc's sole aim is to "prevent the BJP from securing more than 370 seats" in the upcoming elections. Labelling the opposition bloc as "instable" and "uncertain", the PM said, "During its rule, the Congress' focus was on earning commissions. The INDI alliance too aims to earn commission after coming to power but the NDA and Modi sarkar is on a mission".
Aiming at the Samajwadi Party, Modi mocked their frequent changes in candidate selection. Notably, the Samajwadi Party (SP) recently changed its candidate for the Meerut Lok Sabha constituency for the second time. Click here to read the full report.
He further ridiculed the Congress for its struggle to field candidates, even in its traditional strongholds.
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Modi further scrutinised the grand old party's recently unveiled election manifesto. He accused the manifesto of bearing the "imprint of the Muslim League", and being heavily influenced by leftist ideologies.
Addressing the Opposition's rhetoric of "fighting against shakti" (power), Modi described it as "unfortunate". The Prime Minister asserted that reverence for shakti is ingrained in India's spiritual ethos. "Worshipping shakti is a part of our natural spiritual journey. But, the people of the I.N.D.I bloc say their fight is against shakti," Modi said.
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The rally, held in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, comes before the first phase of polling on April 19. The first phase will encompass eight parliamentary constituencies, including Saharanpur, Kairana, and Muzaffarnagar from Uttar Pradesh. Vote counting is scheduled for June 4.