Modi: Opposition is now an ‘Avrodh Paksh’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Opposition of acting as an “Avrodh Paksh” (obstructive force) rather than a “Virodh Paksh” (opposition), alleging that it was trying to divide the country and weaken its unity. Addressing a gathering at the Parade Ground in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mr Modi said the country needed to remain united against forces working against its interests. “It is our misfortune that the Opposition has turned into Avrodh Paksh,” he said.

In a veiled reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits, the Prime Minister asked, “Who is secretly meeting whom in foreign countries? To whom are forces opposed to India extending their support? Who is speaking the language of India's enemies?” He alleged that the Opposition wanted to divide people and said social media was being used as a weapon to spread rumours and tarnish India’s image.

“Social media is being used as a weapon, rumours are being spread, and India’s image is being tarnished,” he said. Modi also said the country had fulfilled its resolve to become free of Naxalism and Maoism, but warned that the threat of“dimagi Naxals” remained high. “I said last year that we would not rest until the country was free from Naxalism and Maoism; that promise has been fulfilled. Though we have finished Naxals, the threat of 'dimagi Naxals' remains very high,” he said. Listing the country's next priorities, Mr Modi said these included securing the borders, stopping infiltration and demographic changes, and moving towards a secular civil code.

“Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” and “Vikshit Bharat” were the country's two goals, he said, adding that India was moving ahead on the path shown by Patel. Modi paid floral tributes to Patel at the Statue of Unity and described him as the pioneer of“Akhand Bharat” and the Iron Man of the country.In a post, he said Patel had dedicated his life to building a strong, prosperous and capable India, adding that his sacrifice and devotion to the nation continued to inspire the effort to build a developed and self reliant country. Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, and died on December 15, 1950. The Prime Minister also inaugurated 23 development projects worth `307.83 crore and laid the foundation stones for eight projects.