Sabka Haath, Sabka Vinash: Yashwant Sinha slams Modi at opposition-rally
What's the story
Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha didn't mince his words on Saturday as he spoke at the mega opposition rally in Kolkata, West Bengal, organized by TMC. Sinha gave a twist to BJP's slogan Sabka Haath, Sabka Vikas and said it was more about Sabka Haath, Sabka Vinash. He had the choicest of words for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his governance. Here's more.
Rally
Leaders from different ideologies unite in Kolkata
The rally at Brigade Ground in Kolkata was attended by political bigwigs from across the country. The idea is to show opposition is united against the BJP and will fight tooth and nail in the upcoming general elections. Politicians like HD Deve Gowda, Omar Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav, Mallikarjun Kharge, Arvind Kejriwal, Chandrababu Naidu, MK Stalin, and Babulal Marandi attended the rally.
Sinha's words
Sinha says it's not only about defeating PM Modi
Sinha, who is a former Union Minister, told the crowd of thousands the opposition didn't unite to defeat one man (PM Modi) but was fighting for what's right. He claimed the Centre has destroyed all the institutions of the country and "exaggerates facts and figures." The 81-year-old leader went on to say the BJP government just wanted to divide people on the ground.
Quote
Facts are being distorted, Sinha says
"After Independence, this is the first government which has been presenting decorated and inflated developmental statistics to befool people. There is no democratic institution in this country that this government has not compromised," Sinha said.
Details
Arun Shourie agreed with Sinha, claimed institutions are under threat
Arun Shourie, another former BJP minister, agreed with Sinha. Shourie claimed no other government has lied so much. "Not one institution is left which has not been destroyed by the current government at the Centre," he added. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi equated the coming together of all parties to a rainbow and said: "We don't want a Modi government anymore."
Sharing stage
Shatrughan Sinha shares stage with opposition leaders, could face action
While Shourie and Sinha have quit BJP, sitting parliamentarian Shatrughan Sinha also shared the stage with opposition leaders. The saffron party may have ignored his criticism many times in the past, but the actor-turned-politician might face action this time, reports suggest. BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, "Some people want to carry stamp of BJP for the facilities that come as a MP."
Twitter Post
BJP leader speaks on Shatrughan Sinha's presence
Rajiv Pratap Rudy,BJP on Shatrughan Sinha present at 'United India' opposition rally in Kolkata: Some people are intelligent in a different way. Some people want to carry stamp of BJP for the facilities that come as a MP; Visual of Shatrughan Sinha present at the rally in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/WIran1YpOw
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2019
Editor's take
Is this the ultimate fall from grace?
The rhetoric of Shourie and Sinha makes one wonder if this is the ultimate fall from grace. Is this their last ditch effort to stay relevant in Indian politics which is increasingly becoming divisive? It's also important to note Sinha spoke about fighting an 'ideology' when he himself was one of the founding members of BJP. Opportunism trumps everything else in politics, quite clearly.