West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee concluded the mega Opposition rally in Kolkata’s Brigade on 19 January with chants of “Badal do, badal do, Dilli mein sarkar badal do" (change the government at the Centre).
Launching a scathing attack against the BJP government, the TMC supremo, during her speech, said, “Modi govt is past its expiry date and in the coming days, a new dawn will descend. We will work together and it's a promise.”
Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Silvassa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that the Opposition parties had gathered together due to fear. Also, addressing a press conference in retaliation to the ‘United India rally’, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy asked who is the ‘prime ministerial face’ of the front.
The rally has been called by TMC chief and Kolkata’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to demonstrate the Opposition's strength against the ruling party in the run-up to the general elections.
- Several heavyweight Opposition leaders have come together to address the ‘United India’ rally in Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground
- At least 40 lakh people had gathered at the ground, according to the estimate given by TMC
- Addressing a press conference in response to the ‘United India rally’, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy asked who would be the ‘prime ministerial face’ of the front
- Congress President Rahul Gandhi wrote to Banerjee, extending support to the mega Opposition rally
- Banerjee said the rally will sound the ‘death knell’ for the BJP
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In Photos: Mamata's Mega United India Rally at Kolkata's Brigade Ground
BJP Hatao, Desh Bachao Was The Message of Today's Rally: Mamata Banerjee Tweets
Thanking national opposition leaders for lending support to her ‘United India at Brigade rally’, Mamata Banerjee tweeted saying that the main message that emerged from today’s gathering is “BJP hatao, Desh bachao” (Get rid of BJP to save India).
Opposition Parties Form Committee To Suggest Electoral Reforms to EC
Addressing a press conference after the mega rally in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee said, “Opposition parties form four-member committee comprising Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Akhilesh Yadav, Satish Mishra and Arvind Kejriwal to suggest electoral reforms to EC before Lok Sabha polls.
Modi Govt is Past Its Expiry Date: Mamata Banerjee
Tearing into the BJP, Mamata Banerjee said the mega Opposition rally was the beginning of the end for the Modi government. She said, “Modi government is past its expiry date and in the coming days, a new dawn will descend. We will work together and it's a promise.”
Addressing an Opposition rally at Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata called by her, she also promised to work together along with other Opposition parties.
Who will be the prime minister will be decided after the polls, she said.
Claiming that BJP's days at the Centre are numbered, she told the mammoth gathering that the "expiry date of the Modi government is over".
Criticising the BJP, she said, "There is courtesy in politics, but BJP does not follow it. Those who are not with BJP are called thieves." Banerjee also claimed that the BJP does not give respect to many of its own senior leaders and people like Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Nitin Gadkari are ignored in the saffron party.
"Modi and his associates are now talking of collective leadership, but if BJP wins the Lok Sabha polls these leaders will be ignored again," she said.
Noting that the present situation in the country is of "super Emergency", Banerjee said it is worse than that imposed by Indira Gandhi and raised the slogan of 'Badal do, badal do, Delhi mein sarkar badal do' (change the government).