Mumbai: While INDIA bloc says it is a fight for country’s soul

Opposition alliance leaders pitch it as an unprecedented fight to save Constitution

One should vote the Modi government out if one wants to save democracy and the Constitution, was the common pitch of the INDIA bloc rally at BKC, on Friday. While Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP will not cross 200 in this election, Uddhav termed Modi as a virus of dictatorship with a guarantee of corruption. Sharad Pawar said it was a crucial time for all to save democracy and Arvind Kejriwal stressed on the fact that if Modi won this election, it would head for one nation-one leader dictatorship. The rally saw all MVA candidates on the stage together.

Sharad Pawar

“This is the first election after independence where there is a fight to save the Constitution prepared by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. The government is out to destroy all those with whom it has differences. Democracy is in danger, the Constitution is in danger, Maharashtra is in danger. If we need to save this, it is our duty to vote this government out of power,” he said.

Mallikarjun Kharge

“Everyone will lose their fundamental rights if the Modi government comes to power. Modi follows a divide-and-rule policy and ignores unemployment. He asks what we’ve done for 75 years – we saved democracy so he could become PM. Modi’s promises are all lies: no Rs 15 lakh, no help to farmers, no jobs. He lies day and night. I call him the ‘Sardar of Lies,’” Kharge said. Kharge said the price of every essential commodity has skyrocketed. Modi’s guarantee is about inflation and lies.

“He gives staged interviews and favours the rich. Where is the bullet train he promised? It’s been eight years, and none of his promises are kept,” he added.
“Why didn’t Modi visit the Ghatkopar site but only held a rally? He did the same in Manipur. We’ve now united. Leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar won’t bow to anyone,” Kharge concluded.

“Why did Modi not even visit the Ghatkopar site, but just conduct a rally. It is the same thing he did in Manipur. We have all now joined hands. People like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar will not bow in front of anyone,” Kharge said.

INDIA bloc leaders on stage during the rally in BKC, Bandra. Pic/Sameer Markande

Arvind Kejriwal

“I have come with an appeal directly from jail, please save my country. This PM is killing democracy and moving towards dictatorship. They tried to jail me and kill democracy when they couldn’t beat AAP in Delhi. I built good schools and clinics, but Modi wants to stop this. I announced free medication, but in jail, my medicines were stopped. If you vote for INDIA bloc, I will remain free. My freedom is in your hands,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “Modi wants to repeat what ruling governments in Russia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan did: destroy the Opposition and grab power. Congress accounts were frozen, I was jailed, Shiv Sena split, and now he wants to fight polls,” he said. “Modi’s mission is ‘One Nation, One Leader,’ and he’s also finishing BJP leaders like Devendra Fadnavis and targeting Yogi Adityanath next. He forced BJP leaders like LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan to retire at 75, but he’ll soon turn 75 and pitch Amit Shah as PM. Imagine what will happen,” he added. “Modi uses foul language. The language is an insult to Maharashtra. There are CCTVs in my cell and officers monitoring me. I won’t waste a single day of my bail to save the nation from Modi. If Modi stays in power, Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar will also end up in jail. We need to save democracy and alert everyone about the new party symbols,” Kejriwal concluded.

Uddhav Thackeray

“This is a virus of dictatorship. We need to drive them out. Join BJP, and you’re safe from corruption charges—Modi has shown this. There are two rallies in Mumbai today: ours and one of traitors. Modi will not be PM after June 4. He announced demonetisation suddenly at 8pm one night, and now there will be de-Modination of the country. China is encroaching, but Modi comes to Mumbai to target me. This Maharashtra will finish him,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray.

“BJP has become a party of collecting garbage, collects traitors. Modi has done nothing for Maharashtra; he’s looted it and driven businesses to Gujarat. He held a roadshow while people died. This is a battle to save our country’s unity, like the freedom struggle,” he said.

“In Nashik, he ignored a farmer asking about onions. Modi focuses on Hindu-Muslim divide instead of real issues like China or unemployment. He called me a fake child, but I challenge him to a debate on our family legacy. During any crisis in Mumbai, it’s the Sainiks who respond first. Modi’s legacy is Morarji Desai, who fired on protesters for Maharashtra state,” Uddhav added.

“Modi and Amit Shah refused timely help during the COVID-19 lockdown by not organizing Shramik trains,” he concluded.

Tushar Gandhi

Great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Tushar Gandhi, said, “We owe a historical obligation to Uddhav’s grandfather Prabodhakar Thackeray. He had been alerted about a plot of an assassination bid on my great grandfather Mahatma Gandhi in Vidarbha back then. We are facing a similar conspiracy now and need to oust  the government. We have a cleanliness drive on May 20 to throw the government out.”

Akhilesh Yadav & Tejaswi Yadav

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Bihar Opposition leader Tejaswi Yadav appealed via video message to vote for India Bloc.

Nana Patole

“Modi brought people from Gujarat for his roadshow. He was so insensitive to hold it near the Ghatkopar accident site. His Mumbai rally will be his last as prime minister. Farmers and businesses are suffering, and unemployment is rising. The Modi government is robbing Maharashtra in the name of the bullet train. Modi is silent on the vaccine scam that’s killing people,” said state Congress chief Nana Patole.

Naseem Khan

“Common people are harassed. This election is about saving the nation. The INDIA bloc is united for this task,” said Congress leader Naseem Khan.

Sanjay Raut

“The prime minister is giving special attention to Maharashtra, roaming the streets of Mumbai. This rally shows Modi is finished. After June 4, there will be no more BJP dominance. We’ve suffered in jail, now it’s their turn,” said Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.

Equating BJP to Chor Bazar, he said Modi and his team were similar to that. “I appeal to Modiji not to visit Balasaheb Thackeray’s memorial as Modi had split his party. Thackeray’s soul will only curse Modiji. The party has sent a message of corruption by absorbing all the corrupt leaders. They are coming to loot Maharashtra and split Mumbai from Maharashtra. Please remain alert and vote carefully,” Raut said.

Vijay Wadettiwar

“The INDIA bloc is winning all seats in Vidarbha, Marathwada and even Mumbai. If the government had worked, they would not have had to split other parties. Creating splits is itself like accepting defeat. Raj Thackeray is seen as a celebrity. We also call celebrities for entertainment, pay them and send them. We don’t know if he was paid at all. The Ghatkopar rescue operation was on and we had the prime minister holding a rally there. The farmers are suffering. May 20 is our second freedom struggle to save our democracy,” said Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar.

6
No. of Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai

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