Opposition parties have slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for indulging in photo-ops and conducting rallies at a time when the national security is under threat. Additionally, the Opposition also cornered Modi over the death of sanitation workers in his constituency — Varanasi — and a sharp drop in the GDP in the second quarter.
Speaking at an ABP News programme, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “When it is time for the prime minister to support the Armed forces of the country, he is busy strengthening the BJP cadre and trying to garner votes for his party, this is utterly shameful. He is politicising this issue also.” Chaturvedi slammed Modi for interacting with BJP workers via a video conference which the saffron party touted as “world’s largest video conference” on February 28 when Indian Air Force Squadron Leader Abhinandan was captured by Pakistani forces.
#कांग्रेस प्रवक्ता @priyankac19 ने @abpnewshindi के कार्यक्रम #जोशीले में बड़ा आरोप लगाया. कहा, जब मेरा जवान मज़बूत करने की जरूरत होती है तो @BJP4India अपना बूथ, अपना वोट मजबूत करती है जो कि बहुत ही शर्मनाक है. #BJP ऐसे संवेदनशील मसले पर भी राजनीति करती है
— Akhilesh Anand अखिलेश आनंद (@akhileshanandd) March 2, 2019
Other political leaders, including Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, also slammed PM Modi for conducting the video conference as a part of “Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot” programme.
Even when our pilot is missing, everything — even national security — is seen through the lens of public relations and votes.
The BJP only knows the politics of distraction, lies, branding and marketing.
Those who worship power will only be consumed by it. #BringHimHome
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 28, 2019
At a time when India is facing hostility of war and country needs firm leadership, PM Nrendra Modi instead of concentrating on the matters of national security trying to serve political interest by addressing his BJP workers is ridiculous besides betrayal of national sentiments.
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) February 28, 2019
बेहद दुःख हो रहा है सर।
पूरा देश जवानों को और देश को मज़बूत करने में लगा है और आप बूथ मज़बूत करने में लगे हो? देश मज़बूत होगा तो बूथ अपने आप मज़बूत हो जाएगा, जवान मज़बूत होगा तो हर हिंदुस्तानी मज़बूत होगा। https://t.co/SIj7AtU0cZ
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 28, 2019
Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] general secretary Sitaram Yechury said that Modi serves only his party.
One serves the country, another only his party. The difference. pic.twitter.com/dgu1nEHqYZ
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 28, 2019
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala hit out at Modi, asking, “When will the PM show leadership mettle beyond election rallies and TV studio warfare?”
5 more Jawans of Army-CRPF-J&k Police martyred fighting Pak sponsored terrorists in Kupwada!
Entire Nation salutes their bravery🇮🇳
Modiji,
For how long shall this saga of martyrdom continue?
When will the PM show leadership mettle beyond Election Rallies & TV studio warfare? pic.twitter.com/2udDE4aUO8
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 2, 2019
Death of sanitation workers
On February 24, Prime Minister Modi washed the feet of sanitation workers in Kumbh, and the pictures were viral on social media. However, he didn’t make any statement regarding the number of sewer deaths and unsafe working condition of the workers across the country, which disappointed sanitation workers. Further, the CPI (M) slammed Modi for not taking accountability after two people reportedly died while cleaning sewer tanks in Varanasi, just a week after he indulged in the “gimmick”.
Two more Manual Scavengers die in Modi's constituency, Varanasi. The Shameful silence & lack of accountability continues while the PM indulges in photo-ops & gimmicks keeping the elections in mind. #PhotoShootSarkarhttps://t.co/ZzIqID0nsh
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) March 2, 2019
Sharp Drop in GDP in Q2
The latest GDP growth data released by the government pointed towards a slowing down of the economy. The October-December quarter grew by only 6.6 per cent. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former finance minister P Chidambaram targeted Modi over the slow growth.
“False promises, false games. The ‘chowkidar’ has failed again in this quarter’s numbers,” Gandhi said, adding a report in his tweet.
झूठे वादे, झूठा खेल।
इस तिमाही के आँकड़े में,
फिर चौकीदार फ़ेल !https://t.co/fwN4RKyA0P— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 2, 2019
Quarterly growth rates of 2018-19 puncture the claims of government.
Q1 was 8 %, Q2 was 7 % and Q3 was 6.6 %.
This is the swan song of the BJP government.
If Q4 growth rate declines further, as is expected, that will expose the government completely.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 28, 2019
Also read: A Week After Modi’s Feet Washing Photo Op, Two Sanitation Workers Die in His Constituency Varanasi