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Bharatiya Janata Party's national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Thursday accused the opposition of "undermining the achievement of Sardar Patel" and criticised their reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message of unity.
Referring to opposition reaction to PM Modi's speech in Gujarat's Kevadia on the occasion of National Unity day, where the PM spoke about 'One Nation, One Election,' Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Today, on the occasion of Diwali and on the birth anniversary of Sadar Patel, whose greatest contribution was to get all the divided, disparate princely states together and through the 'sutra of Ekta', combined them and create a united Bharat. Today, walking in his footsteps, when Prime Minister Modi reiterated the unity message, which was essentially the message of Sardar Patel." "...Then the kind of reaction that came from the opposition, the same opposition that hates Sardar Patel, that never gave respect to Sardar Patel, that tried to undermine the achievements of Sardar Patel, has started saying that the message of unity, that if we are united, we will be safe, that this is a communal message," Poonwalla said. Poonawalla further referred to the opposition as "legatees of the British" and accused them of using "divide-and-rule policy" "This shows that the agenda of this Jamaat has always been to divide India. They are the political legatees of the British who used to continue with the divide-and-rule policy. Their agenda is to divide, rule and create confusion, chaos and division in the country so that enemies of Bharat can prevail," Poonawalla said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi, paying tribute to Sardar Patel on the occasion of his birth anniversary highlighted the "unprecedented" achievement for the unity and integrity of India. "Today, commitment to national unity is visible in every work and every mission of the government. As true Indians, we must celebrate every effort towards national unity with enthusiasm and energy, strengthening new resolve, hopes, and excitement," PM Modi said. Prime Minister also highlighted that his government was working towards achieving One Nation One Poll which will ensure simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies. "We are now working towards One Nation One Election, which will strengthen India's democracy, give optimum outcome of India's resources and the country will gain new momentum in achieving the dream of a developed India. Today, India is moving towards One Nation One Civil Code that is a Secular Civil Code," he said. Following PM's speech, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the One Nation and One election concept as 'impossible' "Speaking to reporters, Congress President Kharge said, "What PM Modi has said, he will not do it, because when it comes in the parliament, he has to take everybody into confidence, then only this will happen. This is impossible, 'One Nation One Election' is impossible." (ANI)
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