“Pegasus, Rafale…”: Nirmala Sitharaman On Opposition Claims Against PM

The BJP has started a massive two-day strategy session with an eye to the coming elections in nine states this year, which will be seen as the semi-final to the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The session was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who earlier held a mega roadshow in Delhi. Besides the Prime Minister, 35 Union Ministers, 12 Chief Ministers, and 37 regional heads are attending the two-day national executive meet. Around 350 party workers are also expected to attend the event.

Speaking to reporters amid the session, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched an attack on the opposition, saying their allegations on various issues have drawn a blank.

“Pegasus, Rafale, ED, Central Vista, Reservation and Demonetisation… these were the topics on which the opposition accused the Prime Minister through baseless claims but he had to face the court,” Ms Sitharaman said.

Speaking to the media earlier, senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad quoted party chief JP Nadda, who focussed on the country’s achievements since 2014.

India, he said, has pulled ahead in several areas including manufacturing of cars and cellphones.

“India has become the fifth largest economy in the world surpassing even England. It is the second biggest mobile manufacturer. From importing cellphones in 2013-14, we are now exporting cellphones made her,” he said.

Asked about the challenges the BJP is facing, he spoke of the string of elections due this year. The BJP is “committed to winning” the coming elections and the focus is on strengthening the party at the booth level, Mr Prasad said.

Talking of both-level work, Mr Prasad said, “72,000 booths were marked in 100 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country where BJP was weak and where we had to reach but we reached 1.3 lakh booths and spread the policies of the party”.

Ahead of the event, party chief JP Nadda held a meeting with in-charges and co-in-charges from across the country.