Opposition leaders took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi remark that ‘he will be back in the Red Fort in 2024’, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge calling him "arrogant".
Kharge, who skipped the PM's I-Day address, hoisted the tricolour from the AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Following the ceremony, Kharge said, "Every person says that they come back again and again after winning. But making you win or lose is in the hands of people, in the hands of voters. To say in 2023, 'I will hoist the flag once again in 2024' is arrogance. If he keeps making comments on Opposition even on Independence Day, how will he build the nation?"
'Go to Manipur'
Modi was also slammed by Congress after he addressed the violence against women in Manipur in his Independence Day speech on Tuesday. "If peace has returned to Manipur, then instead of addressing from Red Fort, the PM should go to Manipur and speak from there..." said Bhakta Charan Das, Congress in-charge Manipur.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day, PM Modi said the situation in Manipur was improving and urged the people in the state to build on the peace restored there.
In his 10th Independence Day speech, the PM said the entire country is with Manipur, and the central and state governments were making efforts to find a solution.
"In the past few weeks, during the period of violence in the North East, especially in Manipur, many people lost their lives, and the honor of mothers and daughters suffered a lot, but in the last few days, there are reports of peace. The nation is with Manipur,” the PM said.
"The people of Manipur should build on the peace that has been restored over the past few days. The path for a solution will be found through peace in Manipur," Modi added.
Kharge praises Vajpayee
Revealing why he did not attend the Red Fort event, Kharge said, "Firstly, I have some eye-related problems. Secondly, I had to hoist the tricolour at my residence at 9.20 am as per protocols. Then I had to come to the Congress office and hoist the Tricolour here too. So, I could not have reached here."
Pledging to uphold democracy and the Constitution which he alleged were in danger, Kharge saluted the sacrifices of innumerable Indians who gave up their lives during the freedom struggle, and said they not only made contribution to the national movement but also laid a strong foundation of India.
He also praised former prime ministers, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee who, he said, always worked for the country. "It pains me to say that today, democracy, Constitution and autonomous institutions - all three are in great danger," he said, referring to the Modi government's policies.
"With this determination, once again I extend my warmest wishes to all of you on Independence Day. 'Bharat judega, INDIA jeetega'," he said, referring to the tagline of the INDIA alliance.
Slamming Modi, he said, "First, they talked about acche din', then, they talked about New India', And now they talk about 'Amrit Kaal'. Isn't this a name change to hide his failures."
Referring to Manipur, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which reported violence in recent months, he said, "wherever there is injustice, the Congress party will establish justice."
"Great people don't erase old history to write new history. They draw their line big, they don't make the already drawn line smaller by cutting or erasing it," Kharge added.
– with inputs from agencies
