Just as the opposition parties named their alliance INDIA, the BJP has launched an scathing attack on the coalition, stating a new name won't change their character. The two-day meet of 26 opposition parties hosted by the Congress in Bengaluru decided on Tuesday to call itself INDIA, an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.
BJP IT department head Amit Malviya took to Twitter to lash out at the opposition, stating the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had to acquire a new identity even when those who are part of the alliance haven't changed. "National Democratic Alliance was founded in 1998. 25 years later, on a day, an expanded, stronger, NDA is meeting. The UPA had to kill its existence and acquire a new identity, even when those, who are part of the new' alliance, haven't changed," he said.
"Character doesn't change by changing names," Malviya tweeted.
National Democratic Alliance was founded in 1998. 25 years later, on a day, an expanded, stronger, NDA is meeting, the UPA had to kill its existence and acquire a new identity, even when those, who are part of the ‘new’ alliance, haven’t changed…
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 18, 2023
नाम बदलने से चरित्र नहीं बदलता।
In another tweet, Malviya said UPA had become synonymous with corruption and regressive politics and the same players are now regrouping under a different name. "But the new name of the opposition alliance will not make them any more credible," he said, adding that people will banish them to boondocks.
The BJP leader alleged it is apparent that the opposition parties have come together to save their shrinking turfs, not serve the people.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which met in Delhi on Tuesday, too hit out at the opposition parties, calling them "disoriented and confused." In its resolution, the NDA said the opposition is faced with a crisis of identity and relevance. "Today, the opposition is confused and disoriented."
Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal founder and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha too took to Twitter to poke fun at the new coalition, stating "It will now be Bharat Mata versus INDIA." He called the opposition's INDIA grouping an alliance of those who fill their pockets with the hard-earned money of the people and suck poor people's blood.
"Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies."
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to opposition's INDIA by changing his Twitter bio from 'Chief Minister of Assam, India' to 'Chief Minister of Assam, BHARAT'
He tweeted, stating India civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. "The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat . BJP for BHARAT," his tweet read.
NDA resolution
The NDA has passed a resolution stating that it will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he will return to the helm for a third straight term with a "huge majority".
"As the world's most popular leader, Modi enjoys the unwavering trust of millions of Indians," the resolution said. It added that people's support for the ruling coalition grew manifold in 2019 than in 2014 under Modi and added that the voters had been rejecting and rubbishing the lies, rumours and baseless allegations of opposition parties.
"All parties part of the NDA repose full faith in the leadership of PM Modi to attain a bigger mandate in 2024 than that won in 2019," they said.
Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde proposed the resolution in the meeting while the AIADMK's K Palaniswami and the AGP's Atul Bora supported it. "All constituents of the NDA resolved that it will unitedly contest the Lok Sabha elections under PM Modi's leadership and he for the third consecutive time will become the prime minister of the country with a huge majority," it said.
