INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (18) launched one of the fiercest attacks against the Opposition, accusing them of prioritising their own families over the welfare of the nation.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new terminal at Veer Savarkar airport in Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the prime minister proclaimed that the opposition's focus is solely on their own kin, disregarding the interests of the country.
"For them, family is first, nation is nothing. Corruption is their motivation. The bigger the scam, the more corrupt the person, the higher their seat at the table," Modi said.
He went on to assert that while democracy signifies "of the people, by the people, for the people," the opposition's mantra is more akin to "of the family, by the family, for the family."
This attack by PM Modi coincided with a gathering of 26 opposition parties in the southern city of Bengaluru, where they aimed to strategise against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in next year's general elections.
Modi derisively labeled this assembly as a meeting of "hardcore corrupts," insinuating that corruption was being promoted at the event. He criticised the opposition parties for granting absolution to the DMK despite corruption cases in Tamil Nadu, and he accused the Left and the Indian National Congress of remaining silent on the violence during the recent panchayat polls in West Bengal, even in the face of attacks on their own party members.
The prime minister also inaugurated a new terminal building in Port Blair, constructed at a cost of approximately R 710 crore. The design of the building resembled a shell, symbolizing the natural surroundings of the islands.
Spanning a total built-up area of around 40,800 square miles, the terminal possesses the capacity to handle approximately 50 lakh (five million) passengers annually.
Notably, the entire terminal is illuminated with 100 per cent natural lighting for 12 hours a day, facilitated by skylights on the roof.
Through his remarks and the inauguration of the new terminal, Modi underscored the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity throughout the country.
(With agency inputs)
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