‘Litter Thrown to Stage Drama’: Cong on PM Modi Plogging in TN

The Congress' Tamil Nadu unit on Sunday, 13 October, took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi plogging on the beach at Mamallapuram on Saturday, wondering if it was 'drama' since the entire area had been cleaned up ahead of his visit, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, had gone plogging (collecting garbage while on a walk or a run) on the beach outside the Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort and Spa, where he was staying.

While taking an early morning walk barefoot on the sand, he held a large plastic bag and picked up plastic litter. Keeping up with his Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the Prime Minister tweeted urging people to keep public places clean. He had also uploaded a three-minute video on Twitter where he was seen plogging.

Plogging at a beach in Mamallapuram this morning. It lasted for over 30 minutes.

Also handed over my ‘collection’ to Jeyaraj, who is a part of the hotel staff.

Let us ensure our public places are clean and tidy!

Let us also ensure we remain fit and healthy. pic.twitter.com/qBHLTxtM9y

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 12, 2019

Congress Takes Swipe at Modi

On Sunday, TNCC President K S Alagiri spoke about the three-minute video by Modi, saying that the Prime Minister showed keenness in the Swachch Bharat initiative by doing so, PTI reported.

However, he also pointed out that since Modi's visit was planned in advance, all sanitation work had been diligently carried out at the hotel zone where he stayed, and even the beach had been cleaned by conservancy staff using machines.

"After (all) this, there is no chance of the area getting littered. Then how did suddenly waste emerge during his (morning) walk? If there indeed had been litter, doesn't it show the state government's apathy," Alagiri said in a statement, according to PTI.

“Was litter thrown there to stage a drama by Prime Minister Modi of picking the waste?” he questioned.

On 11 August, Modi held the second informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Mamallapuram. The two leaders have discussed economic issues, the trade deficit, and the common challenges the two countries face from terrorism. The two leaders are set to hold more meetings on Saturday, where trade and business will be the main focus.

Twitter Divided Over PM’s Action

While many lauded him for setting an example, others questioned why he was using a single-use plastic bag to pick up trash.

Great gesture, sure. Like the one with ISRO chief. Sends across a message, even if staged.

But isn't he using a single-use plastic there to collect the waste? pic.twitter.com/FFVKzr3Rph

— Vivek (@ivivek_nambiar) October 12, 2019

Greta will go crazy seeing the single use plastic collection bag 😊🙏 https://t.co/aSzF6mtILT

— JENCY JACOB (@jencyjac) October 12, 2019

Authentic Leadership is practising what one believes in and by doing. https://t.co/Cf43T3inkh

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) October 12, 2019

When the Prime Minister leads from the front, the whole nation moves along! #Plogging is the best way to improve overall fitness and cleanliness together. #PloggingRun burns 15% to 30% more calories than traditional jogging while waste collection becomes a glamorous lifestyle! https://t.co/mu7vsF6fbO

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 12, 2019

Excellent idea Sir @narendramodi https://t.co/geKk8xSbjU

— Nikhil Siddhartha (@actor_Nikhil) October 12, 2019

He also shared pictures of him taking a walk along the scenic coast.

Refreshing walk and exercises in Mamallapuram, along the scenic coast. pic.twitter.com/UjUq8FbVAv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 12, 2019

(With inputs from PTI.)