PM Modi hits out at regional parties over Congress tieup

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose the occasion of 109th birth anniversary of socialist ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia to dub as “reprehensible” efforts by several regional parties formed on socialist ideology to cobble up a grand alliance with the Congress.

He also pointed out that Lohia would be “horrified” as most of these parties claim to be his followers.  “Today those parties that falsely claim to be Lohia’s followers are desperate to form an opportunistic ‘maha-milawat’ or adulteration alliances with the same Congress (which Lohia opposed). It is both ironical and reprehensible,” Modi alleged in a blog to mark the 109th birth anniversary of Lohia.  On the other hand, he said Lohia would be “proud” of the NDA government, led by the BJP, for following his ideas.

Noting that anti-Congressism was Lohia’s “heart and soul”, Modi said, “Unfortunately, today Lohia would be horrified at the political developments taking place.”

The Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal-Secular, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Sharad Yadav’s Loktantrik Janata Dal were some of the parties formed on socialist ideology, and are currently allied to or are in talks with the Congress for an alliance.

“Lohia wrote about modernising agriculture and empowering farmers, which the NDA government is effectively doing through efforts such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Krishi Sinchai Yojana, e-Nam, Soil Health Cards and more,” he said.

Referring to gender inequality, Modi said nothing pained Lohia more than the caste hierarchy and inequality between women and men.

“But neck deep in vote bank politics, it was parties that dishonestly claim to be Lohia’s followers that opposed the NDA government’s move to abolish the inhuman practice of triple talaq,” he alleged.