Opposition Parties Join Hands at Mamata Rally, Vow to Oust Modi
Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is hosting a mega Opposition rally in Kolkata on Saturday, 19 January.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
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
BJP Won’t Cross More Than 125 Seats in LS Polls: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, 17 January, said the mega Opposition rally being hosted by the Trinamool Congress in Kolkata on 19 January would sound the "death knell" for the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls and regional parties would be the deciding factor.
She also claimed the BJP’s seat count in the general election will not cross more than 125. The number of seats that the state parties will win will be much more than the BJP's, she further claimed.
"The federal parties, that is the regional parties, will be the deciding factor after the elections. And the rally will sound the death knell for BJP... Obviously they (BJP) will not cross more than 125 seats," the CM said.
List of Oppn Party Leaders Who Are Expected at the Rally
Here’s a list of Opposition party leaders who are expected at the rally, as shared by the TMC, which is hosting it in Kolkata:
- Akhilesh Yadav (SP)
- Satish Misra (BSP)
- CB Naidu (TDP)
- MK Stalin (DMK)
- HD Kumaraswamy (JDS)
- HD Devegowda (JDS)
- Kharge/Singhvi (Congress)
- Arvind Kejriwal (AAP)
- Farooq Abdullah (NC)
- Omar Abdullah (NC)
- Tejaswi Yadav (RJD)
- Sharad Pawar (NCP)
- Ajit Singh/Jayant Chowdhury (RLD)
- Yashwant Sinha
- Sharad Yadav
- Shatrughan Sinha
- Gegong Apang (former CM Arunachal)
- Arun Shourie
- Hemant Soren
- Hardik Patel
- JigneshMevani
- Lalduwahawma (Opposition leader Mizoram)
The party, in a statement, also said it is expecting at least 40 lakh people to attend the rally.
Rahul Gandhi Writes to Mamata, Extends Support to Oppn Rally
Although Congress President Rahul Gandhi will not be attending the rally, he wrote to Mamata Banerjee on Friday, 18 January, extending his support.
“The entire Opposition is united.... I extend my support to Mamata Di on this show of unity and hope that we send a powerful message of a united India together.”Rahul Gandhi in a letter to Mamata Banerjee
Calling out the Modi government for making false promises to the masses, Gandhi said he hoped for a greater future for every Indian and on that note, commended the state of West Bengal for taking the initiative to combine all forces to fight against the BJP.
BJP Leader Shatrughan Sinha to Attend Rally
Amid the list of Opposition leaders flocking to Kolkata to attend the rally, BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha is also expected to make an appearance on Saturday, ANI reported.
Sinha has been known to have criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a series of issues, in the past.
Sharad Pawar, Deve Gowda Land in Kolkata
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday, 18 January, arrived Kolkata for the mega Opposition rally.
Akhilesh Yadav Reaches Kolkata
Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav arrived in Kolkata to attend Mamata Banerjee’s Opposition Rally.
State Congress Not Keen on Kharge, Singhvi's Attendance
According to state Congress sources, the party unit was not keen on Mallikarjun Kharge and Abhishek Singhvi attending the rally as it would send a wrong message to its workers who are fighting against the TMC in West Bengal, as reported by PTI.
Entire Nation United to Defeat BJP: Deve Gowda
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Friday, 18 January, said the entire nation was united to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, as reported by PTI.
He praised West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC President Mamata Banerjee and termed her efforts to make way for a secular government in the country as "historic".
"Mamata is a great leader. She is hard working and such people are required in politics," Gowda said on his arrival here ahead of Saturday's mega Opposition rally.
"Her decision to make way for formation of a secular government is historic", he added.
Sharad Pawar, Gegong Apang All Praises For Mamata Banerjee's Efforts
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar lauded Mamata Banerjee's efforts to bring all Opposition parties on one platform, reported PTI.
"Mamata has taken the initiative to bring all political parties together," Pawar said.
"BJP is spreading canards across the country. There should be an end to it," he added.
The TMC chief also called on Pawar at a city hotel where he was staying.
Describing the TMC supremo as a "great leader", former Arunachal Chief Minister Gegong Apang said that her initiative would turn out to be a great success in defeating the Narendra Modi government in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
MK Stalin, Arun Shourie Arrive in Kolkata For Mega Rally
The All India Trinamool Congress welcomed former Union minister Arun Shourie at the airport on Friday, 18 January, for the rally at Bridge Parade Ground. DMK President MK Stalin arrived shortly after Shourie and was received by TMC party members at the airport.
Mamata Banerjee Oversees Preparations
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the Brigade Parade Grounds to oversee the preparations for the upcoming rally.
Karnataka CM Arrives in Kolkata
The All India Trinamool Congress tweeted, "We welcome @hd_kumaraswamy, Chief Minister of Karnataka, to the historic rally at Brigade Parade Grounds #BrigadeChalo"
Andhra Pradesh CM Arrives in Kolkata
TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu arrived in Kolkata.
BSP’s Satish Chandra Misra Arrives in Kolkata
Hardik Patel Arrives in Kolkata
Hardik Patel, the Patidar leader from Gujarat, was welcomed by the All India Trinamool Congress, who tweeted: “We welcome @HardikPatel_, youth leader, to the historic rally at Brigade Parade Grounds #BrigadeChalo.”
Farooq Abdullah, Ajit Singh, Abhishek Singhvi & Others Arrive in Kolkata
Farooq Abdullah from J&K National Conference (JKNC) party, Ajit Singh from Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) party, arrived in Kolkata, along with Congress National Spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi, for the historic rally at Brigade Parade Grounds in the city.
Praful Patel Arrives in Kolkata
Praful Patel from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also arrived in Kolkata to attend the mega rally.
Mega Rally in Kolkata to Unite Opposition Against ‘Evil Forces': Hardik Patel
"This (the mega Opposition rally) is a great initiative by the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal to unite the opposition parties against the "evil forces dominating the country," Patidar leader Hardik Patel said, as he arrived in Kolkata, ahead of the mega rally on Saturday, 19 January.
"Saturday's rally will bring the opposition forces together in a fight to protect the constitution of our country and eliminate those evil forces that are out to destroy the important institutions, including the CBI, the RBI and the Supreme Court," Patel added.
Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani, who also arrived in the city on late Friday evening, said “We, as a nation, are facing an unprecedented crises where the constitution of our country is under threat and our democratic institutions have been attacked in the last four years under the Modi government.”
"Our party ideologies might be different, but we have a common goal here – to stop the BJP-RSS from coming to power in the 2019 elections," Mevani said.
Mamata Meets Oppn Leaders, Tweets Ahead of Rally
Mamata Banerjee met with the Opposition leaders who arrived in Kolkata late Friday night.
The TMC chief also tweeted hours before the rally, urging supporters to participate.
Crowd Gathers Ahead of United India Rally
A large crowd has begun to gather ahead of the United Rally at Kolkata’s Brigade grounds.
Union Minister Naqvi Slams Opposition Rally
Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, speaking on the opposition’s show of strength, told ANI:
“Ye sab thake huye pite huye pehelwan hain jo akhaade mein ja kar phir apni qismat aazmana chahte hain. Pehla gathbandhan(in Karnataka) hi is haal mein hai toh aage kya hoga” (translated: These are all beaten wrestlers who want to try their luck again in the playing field. If the first mahagathbandhan is this way, then what does the future hold?)
Arvind Kejriwal Arrives
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has arrived in Kolkata to participate in the United India Rally, according to several media reports.
Mamata Arrives at Brigade Parade Ground
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrives at the Brigade Parade Ground to address the United India Rally.
BJP Dividing the Nation: Hemant Soren at United India Rally
“This time we will have to uproot the BJP from power”, said JMMP leader Hemant Soren, urging the Opposition leaders to fight in unison. Soren had also alleged that the BJP was dividing the nation.
Democracy Is At Its Worst: Former Arunachal CM Geogong Apang
Former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Gegong Apang alleged that democracy was at its worst, taking the example of the CBI crisis. “The people in Delhi have divided the country, especially the north-east.” Apang had recently quit the BJP, alleging that the party had become a ‘platform to seek power.’
Speaking after Apang, Zoram Nationalist Party’s Lalduhawma said, “We are confident that the leader who could transform WB in such a short period of time, can lead the country too.”
Shatrughan Sinha Arrives at United India Rally
Dissenting BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha arrived at the United Rally in Kolkata to show his support for the Opposition.
Mamata Di Has Struggled for People Even When She Wasn't CM: Jayant Singh
RLD’s Jayant Singh said “Even when Mamata di was not CM, we know how much she struggled for the people.”
Batting for a government of the people, Singh said he would ensure that the allied government would not be "a burden on the farmer’s pocket."
Country On a Dangerous Path: Yashwant Sinha
Calling for a face against the BJP, former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said, “We want one umeedwaar against BJP. Modi mudda nahi hai. Mudde mudda hai.”
Appealing to the Opposition leaders, former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said: “I appeal to all the Opposition leaders to fight against this government which has such vile ideology; we need to weed this government out.”
He further said that the BJP government’s motto, which began with ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’, has resulted in ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Naash’.
We Need One Leader: Arun Shourie
Reiterating Sinha’s stance for ‘one face’ against the BJP, former BJP leader Arun Shourie too said the united opposition needed one leader.
Further lauding Mamata Banerjee for calling for a united rally, Shourie said she was the ‘sherni (lioness) of Bengal’.
“Up until now there was one person uniting the opposition- Narendra Modi. Now that Bengal’s sherni has taken the initiative, it will definitely gain fruition.”
Congress's Abishek Manu Singhvi Lashes Out at BJP
Lashing out at the BJP for slamming RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav for holding a rally, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said:
“BJP sent notice to Lalu for doing a rally, but no notice was sent to Amit Shah for doing so many rallies in UP.”
He further thanked Mamata Banerjee for having organised a united rally, likening the mahagathbandhan a ‘rainbow’.
“Clouds are parting. A rainbow of political parties is forming. The time for a coalition has arrived.”
BJP Govt Has Led to Destruction: Sharad Yadav
Alleging that demonetisation had led to destruction in the country, LJD leader Sharad Yadav said:
“Nearly 7 crore people have been left jobless because of demonetisation. They promised jobs, now they have left them jobless.”
Further alleging that the government had destroyed independent institutions, Yadav said:
“There is destruction everywhere. They are destroying the institutions, whether RBI or CBI.”
BJP Is Why Kashmir Is Deep In Crisis: Farooq Abdullah
Addressing the rally, former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah alleged that BJP was the reason for the crisis in the state.
He further said:
“The BJP is dividing people on the basis of religion. We must all come together to defeat the divisive forces.”
2019 Polls Will be Second Freedom Struggle: MK Stalin
Stating that the upcoming general elections will be the ‘second freedom struggle’, DMK supremo MK Stalin said the elections will serve as a platform to rid the country of communal politics.
“Till a few weeks ago, Modi claimed there was no Opposition in India. Today he is scared,” he said.
Who's the Prime Ministerial Face of Gathbandhan, Asks BJP
Addressing a press conference in retaliation to the ‘united Opposition rally’, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy questioned the ‘face’ of the front.
“Who is the leader of this united Opposition? Is it Mayawati, is it Akhilesh, is it Lalu, who is it?”
Rudy further said that the primary motive of this ‘united front’ was to push PM Narendra Modi out of power. He also called the Opposition ‘opportunistic’ for clambering atop a ‘united front’.
Will March Together to Form a Strong India: HD Kumaraswamy
Thanking Mamata Banerjee for providing a united platform, Karanataka Chief Minister elucidated on the importance of regional parties in a united front.
“Regional parties have worked hard to connect to with the people of the state, concentrating on their problems and issues. We have all strived to protect the interests of our states.”
Hope for A New PM: Akhilesh Yadav
Heralding a change with the United India rally, former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav said: “What begins in Kolkata will reflect across the country. With this new year, there will hopefully be a new PM.”
Further alleging that the government was in an alliance with institutions, Yadav said:
“You have formed an alliance with institutions like CBI and ED. We have made an alliance with the people.”
He also congratulated the leaders present on the dais for "working to save the Constitution and democracy.”
Modi-Shah Will Leave the Country in Pieces: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the BJP government had effected widespread difficulties across the country.
“I feel ashamed to say our PM follows such people on Twitter who taunt women on social media.”
Further alleging that the Modi-Shah duo have been pushing their agenda of hatred in the country, Kejriwal said: “What Pakistan couldn’t do in 70 years, Modi and Shah have done in five years.”
Save India, Save Democracy: Chandrababu Naidu
“While the BJP wants to divide India, we want to united it. We want save India, it’s democracy,” said Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu, addressing the rally in Kolkata.
Invoking the various slogans put forth by the NDA government, Naidu alleged that the PM was a ‘publicity PM’, and not a ‘performing PM.’
He also said that the various measures taken by the government, such as demonetisation, were all ‘frauds’.
Save the Constitution: Mallikarjun Kharge
Reading out a message from Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said; “The elections will be an elections to restore our faith in democracy, to restore our heritage and defeat forces that are trying to sabotage the Constitution of India.”
Kharge then reiterated Gandhi’s message, calling to save the Constitution and democracy by ‘fighting as one’. “I appeal to all to fight to save the Constitution that was written by BR Ambedkar with a lot of thought.”
Opposition Parties Are Crying ‘Bachao Bachao’ in Kolkata: PM Modi
Speaking in Silvassa, PM Modi launched an atack on the Opposition’s show of strength in Kolkata.
“To escape BJP, all of India’s political parties has gathered in Kolkata. I congratulate BJP for ruining the sleep of those who do wrong, who have now gathered and are crying ‘bachao bachao’.”
Mood of the Nation is Parivartan: Shatrughan Sinha
Speaking at the United India rally, dissenting BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha said the mood of the nation indicated “parivartan”(change).
He further said:
“People ask me why do you speak against BJP when you are still in the party. I say if speaking the truth is an act of rebellion then I am a rebel.”
He also alleged that demonetisation was not a party decision, it was announced by the PMO. “If demonetisation were a party decision, then seniors like Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi would have been aware.”
Tejashwi Yadav Calls Modi A ‘Factory of Lies’ at United India Rally
Calling PM Modi a factory of lies, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the PM is a person “who manufactures and distributes lies.”
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).
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.
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).
In Photos: Mamata's Mega United India Rally at Kolkata's Brigade Ground
