INDIA bloc performing 'mujra' for its vote bank: Modi

NEW DELHI/PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, accusing it of performing “mujra” for the Muslim vote bank. This drew sharp retorts from the Opposition, with leaders urging him to maintain the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office and some wishing him to "get well soon."

At a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur, Modi criticised "dynastic" parties, claiming they built palaces while neglecting the poor, farmers, labourers, and Dalits. He also warned that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc would alter the Constitution to favour Muslims if they came to power.

Earlier, during rallies in Bihar's Buxar, Karakat, and Patliputra, Modi vowed to prevent the I.N.D.I.A. bloc from depriving Dalits and backward classes of reservations. He accused the Opposition of scaremongering and emphasised his commitment to fighting terrorism and corruption.

"Bihar has always championed social justice. I will stop the I.N.D.I.A. bloc from robbing SCs, STs, and OBCs of their rights. They may remain enslaved and perform mujra to please their votebank," Modi declared. He also alleged that insulting remarks by Congress leaders from Punjab and Telangana, and DMK and TMC leaders from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, had hurt Bihari migrants.

Targeting the RJD, he said: "These RJD people who keep doing mujra with their lantern (poll symbol) do not have the courage to speak a word in protest."

The I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders condemned Modi's mujra jibe. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised his language and said no Prime Minister has ever used such words for Opposition leaders in the history of the country. She said the entire country respects the post of Prime Minister and it is Modi's responsibility to maintain the dignity of the post.

The Prime Minister has become nervous and has forgotten he is a representative of the country and of people and such words should not have come out of his mouth, she said.

RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha said, "After machhli (fish), mutton and mangalsutra, it is now the turn of mujra. Does it behove the Prime Minister of the country to speak such a language? He has torn norms of civil discourse to shred."

Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi shared a video clip, wishing the PM "get well soon."

Modi continued his attack at the Bihar rallies, alleging that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc plans to change the Constitution to divert OBC reservations to Muslims.

He alleged that the Opposition alliance is banking on the support of those who indulge in "vote jihad" and referred to the Calcutta high court order that struck down the West Bengal government's decision to include a number of Muslim groups on the list of OBCs.

"The Opposition alliance has decided that if they are voted to power, the first thing they will do is change the Constitution so that even the court is unable to overrule their attempts to divert OBC reservations to Muslims. I have been challenging them to refute me in writing, but they have been reluctant because they have a guilty conscience," Modi said.

He named several deprived castes, including Yadavs, who he claimed would lose their rights if the I.N.D.I.A. bloc succeeded.

The Prime Minister asserted that the Opposition coalition is "heading for a defeat" and predicted infighting among Congress and RJD workers after the election results. He emphasised his efforts to combat terrorism, insurgency, and corruption, recalling his actions like the surgical strikes and the scrapping of Article 370.

Referring to RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi, Modi hinted at legal troubles for them post-election. He also took jabs at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, predicting a poor performance for the SP in Uttar Pradesh.

In Ghazipur, Modi accused Congress of delaying the implementation of One Rank, One Pension for soldiers. He criticised "dynastic" party leaders for neglecting the poor while enriching themselves and praised the bravery and valour of Ghazipur's residents.