DMK President MK Stalin launched a scathing attack on the BJP on Saturday stating that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi were to return to power, it would take India back by 50 years. Calling for all opposition parties to unite against the BJP, Stalin said the collective aim is to send Modi home and save India.
He was speaking at the ‘United India Rally’ organised by West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Saturday. Those who attend the rally include non-BJP leaders from other states like Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, NCP’s Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. Congress was represented by leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Abhishek Manu Singhvi from INC, former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda, National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, Tejashwi Yadav of RJD were also present. Activist Hardik Patel and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani also spoke at the rally.
Pointing to the host of leaders who were present on Saturday, MK Stalin said that the unity of this team scares Narendra Modi.
“I see India in this stage. People from other states, languages and parties are here. But our thoughts are the same. We should defeat BJP and send Narendra Modi back to his home,” he thundered. The DMK chief also said that the way Modi criticises other leaders on stage shows that he is scared of them all.
“For leaders who are here and who couldn’t come here, our unity has scared Modi. Let us preserve unity and thereby protect India,” declared MK Stalin, drumming up support for a united front against the BJP.
He likened the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections to India’s second freedom struggle, stating, "Tamil Nadu and West Bengal were forerunners in the first freedom struggle of India. This is India's second freedom struggle and I am here at the invitation of Bengal's sister, Iron Lady and simple human being Mamata Banerjee."
Accusing the Prime Minister of making the Indian government a private limited company, Stalin alleged that contrary to Modi’s claims, the regime is filled with corruption. “We all have been saying Rafale Rafale for the past six months. We have also raised questions as to why the deal was given to a private company and not a government company. If this is not corruption what is?” he asked. He also pointed to the absconding businessmen Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and demonetisation to highlight the alleged corruption in the Centre.
Lavishing praise on host and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Stalin said, “Narendra Modi is scared of a few people. Mamata Banerjee is one of them. That is why Modi and Amit Shah are scared to come to West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is an iron lady.”
The rally was organised as a show of unity among the opposition parties in the states.