NCP sounds poll bugle, attacks BJP

Kolhapur, Sep 17 (IANS) The NCP on Tuesday launched its poll campaign here for the ensuing Maharashtra assembly elections by attacking the BJP with several speakers saying that "the Modi wave" has disappeared.

Home Minister R.R. Patil of the Nationalist Congress Party mounted a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), calling it "not a well-cultured but an opportunistic party" and demanded to know "which holy water" they used before admitting corrupt leaders to its fold.

"There is no Modi wave… There is only a NCP wave now… We will give such a blow to the opponents that all their waves will return (on them)," the normally soft-spoken Patil thundered amidst applause.

Referring to some BJP leaders’ statements that they would change all decisions of the ruling Congress-NCP regime, Patil challenged: "First win the elections, then talk about changing decisions… Will you dare to change the decisions about reservations for Muslims and Marathas? If you take decisions like these, then we shall protest at your doorstep."

He also criticised Shiv Sena-BJP leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray and Nitin Gadkari, for dreaming of becoming Maharashtra chief minister when they have never served the state.

Tourism Minister and senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that Tuesday’s by-election results around the country proved that "the Modi wave is over now… There is only NCP wave in Maharashtra."

He accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of encouraging communal rift in the name of "Love Jihad".

"What has Modi done except for campaigning aggressively during the Lok Sabha elections… Why is Modi only targeting Mumbai… What does an invitation to Mumbai’s diamond merchants and a bullet train to Ahmedabad mean," Bhujbal asked.

On its ally Shiv Sena, Bhujbal posed an embarrassing question: "Since BJP has already declared it will separate Vidarbha from Maharashtra, will the Shiv Sena still support them?"

Deputy Chief Minister and senior leader Ajit Pawar urged the party workers not to get disheartened by the May 2014 Lok Sabha results and work with renewed vigour to ensure maximum seats for NCP.

"Atta aamchi satakliye, janatala raag yetoy… Now, the people are cheesed off and they are getting irritated," Pawar said referring to the BJP’s promises and assurances.

NCP President Sharad Pawar said the GenNext is connecting with the party which in turn would give them a new set of leadership, including young men and women to the state.

"We don’t want to speak about those who deserted the party… We are sure they will not get any respectable position in other parties," Pawar said, referring to some prominent NCP leaders who defected in the recent past.

Touching upon a sensitive issue, Pawar said that when people have full faith in Shirdi Saibaba, who has given the rights to the Dharam Sansad to speak out against it?

"B.R. Ambedkar formed parliament as the largest ‘Sansad’ of India and vested in them all rights by the constitution. What is this Dharam Sansad," he wondered, referring to the recent clamour by the organisation (Dharam Sansad) to stop worshipping Shirdi Saibaba.

"We have got yet another opportunity to shape the future of Maharashtra. Bring back the NCP in full strength," he urged.