Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur on Monday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, without naming him, and said that it was an opportunity for him to see the new building of the Parliament.
Thakur was highlighting nine years of Central Government's performance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a media interaction in Ahmedabad. The event was part of a series of interactions planned by the BJP in all the states.
Replying to a question on the opposition boycotting inauguration of the new Parliament Building, Thakur said earlier they (read the Congress and other parties) tried to find excuses to ensure that the Parliament did not function and now they are boycotting the inauguration.
Referring to Gandhi without naming him, the union minister said some have been disqualified and the inauguration was an opportunity for them to see the new Parliament Building.
About the RJD, he said the next elections will be the final nail in its coffin. The RJD likened the new building structure to the shape of a coffin.
While he did not answer about the number of seats the BJP will win in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he said that it would cross the 300-plus mark.
The minister said the Prime Minister has laid the foundation for India to become a developed nation and it would lead to India becoming a superpower. “There is a long way to go,” he remarked.
During his presentation, the former president of the BCCI used cricketing language to describe the achievements of the Modi Government. “The Congress had scored a duck, whereas the BJP is on its way to scoring a century when it comes to developing waterways,” he said. Making a mention of the number of Vande Bharat trains introduced during the BJP’s tenure, he pointed out that the Congress had scored a duck.
Albeit, he said there was one area in which the BJP never opened an account, never wanted to and that was corruption.
Responding to a question on stopping wrestlers from marching towards the Parliament Building, Thakur said the candle march and dharna had taken place. "How much more can be allowed?," he asked, adding that the FIR has been lodged and once something comes out in the investigation then "right action" will be taken.
Thakur discussed many flagship programmes of the government in which good results have been achieved. In Gujarat, the BJP is expected to organize month-long programmes to highlight Modi’s achievements in nine years.