‘Garibi Chhupao,’ Sena Targets BJP Over Preparations To Hide Slums In Ahmedabad Ahead Of Trump’s Visit

Sena said that the ongoing preparation for the much-awaited visit of US President Donald Trump is a reflection of the "slave mentality" of the government."It seems now Modi's plan is Garibi Chupao," the party said in its editorial in Saamna.

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New Delhi: BJP's former ally Shiv Sena has slammed the central government over the hectic preparations being done to cover up the slums near Ahmedabad ahead of the visit by US President Donald Trump. The party launched the attack in its mouthpiece Saamna citing reports that the state government s spending Rs 100 crore on the beautification of Trump's route. It said that the ongoing preparation for the much-awaited visit of US President Donald Trump is a reflection of the "slave mentality" of the government. Trump's India trip is like the visit of a "Badshah" (emperor), it said in the editorial. Taking a dig at the construction of a wall on a plot having several slum structures in Ahmedabad ahead of Trump's visit there, the Sena said the US president's trip would neither stop the fall of rupee's value in forex market nor offer betterment to those (slum dwellers) behind the wall. "Before Independence, British King or Queen used to visit one of their slave nations like India. The kind of preparations going on from taxpayers' money for the arrival of Trump is similar to it. This reflects the slave mentality of Indians," it said. "Former prime-minister Indira Gandhi had once given the slogan 'Garibi Hatao', which was ridiculed for a long time. It seems now Modi's plan is 'Garibi chupao' (hide poverty)," the Marathi publication said. The Sena said Trump is "not someone very wise or a statesman or someone who cares for the whole world", but he has to be treated with respect as he represents the mighty US. "Sometimes you have to treat someone with respect to get your things done," it quipped. However, the AMC on Friday said the construction of the wall, around four feet in height, was approved much before Trump's Gujarat visit was finalised. Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad Trump is scheduled to visit Modi's home state Gujarat on February 24. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Sunday tweeted a series of 'Namaste Trump' posters. Trump is scheduled to visit the famous Sabarmati Ashram here and take part in a 22-km-long roadshow with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After that the two leaders will inaugurate a new cricket stadium in Motera and address a gathering there, with an expected audience of over a lakh people. While it was earlier speculated that the programme would be called 'Kem Chho Trump', a Gujarati expression, the AMC posters confirmed it was now christened as 'Namaste Trump', apparently to give it a pan-India appeal. (additional inputs from agencies)