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Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav pointed to the changing tone and tenor of the BJP's campaign pitch, ahead of the second phase of polling for the Lok Sabha on April 26, claiming it was a sign that the ruling party at the Centre was unnerved and had sensed defeat.
Akhilesh, whose party is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Congress, its partner in the INDIA bloc; made the remark in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unsparing attack on the attack on the grand old party during a rally at Rajasthan's Banswara on April 21, over Rahul Gandhi's alleged promise of a 'wealth survey' if elected. "This, mothers and sisters, reflects their (Congress') urban Naxal mindset. They wouldn't even spare your mangalsutra. They can stoop to that level," PM Modi said, in an all-out strike on the grand old party. Hitting back at PM Modi over his remark, the SP supremo said, "Be it a big leader or a small party worker, the BJP's campaign rhetoric has changed since voting for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission (EC) should take note of the changing tenor of their campaign pitch and take necessary action." "Their changing tone on the campaign trail is a sign of defeat. It tells me that they are unnerved and have, perhaps, sensed defeat. They wouldn't have resorted to this language if they were confident of victory after the first phase. Those who went into the polls chanting '400 ke paar' (400-plus seats), are now resorting to language that suggests that they are scared. Farmers, youth, traders and even the common people are voting against them," Akhilesh added. On the BJP's charge of wealth distribution at the Congress, the SP chief said, "The BJP wants to change our Constitution, and the people will ensure the defeat of those who harbour such ambitions. They have wrecked our economy. Our economy wouldn't be strong unless the farmers' income isn't double and more jobs are created." He claimed that the second phase of polling will be on the same lines as the opening phase on April 19. Responding earlier to PM Modi's remark that the Opposition alliance would redistribute the country's wealth and resources among 'infiltrators' and "those who bear more children", Akhilesh said it was not only an insult to a 'particular community' but also an assault on the country's secular and democratic identity. "This statement is not only an insult to a particular community that is spread across the globe but has also inflicted an open wound on the country's secular and democratic identity. It is an unforgivable statement," the SP chief said. (ANI)
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