published by, Pragati Pal
Last Update: July 19, 2023, 23:54 IST
BJP national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla alleged that India is in the name of alliance of opposition parties but not in their agenda. (Representational Image/Shutterstock)
Talking about the name ‘India’ chosen by the opposition parties for their alliance, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “No one changes by changing the name. They are the same people. It is old wine in a new bottle.”
With opposition parties renaming their alliance as Bharat, the BJP on Wednesday dismissed the move as “old wine in a new bottle” and said no one changes with a name change.
BJP leaders also took a jibe at opposition parties over Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi’s remarks on ‘Vande Mataram’, with Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying the opposition was behaving in the same old way.
“More than changing the name, this disparate alliance needs to change its intent and mindset about India, its people and the symbols of Indianness. What respect will people who have such sentiments about the national anthem have for the country,” he said.
The BJP’s reaction came after Azmi raised the Sambhajinagar district riot issue in the Maharashtra Assembly, saying that the chanting of ‘Vande Mataram’ was unacceptable to him.
When asked about the name ‘India’ chosen by the opposition parties for their alliance, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “No one changes by changing the name.” They are the same people. It is old wine in a new bottle.” Several other BJP leaders also targeted Azmi.
BJP’s national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla said in a tweet, “SP’s Abu Azmi says, ‘I will not say Vande Mataram, I will not bow my head as my religion does not allow it.'”
“Is this the idea of India? Or is it anti-India? SP is part of this so-called India,” he tweeted, taking a dig at the newly formed alliance of 26 opposition parties.
Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, opposition parties on Tuesday came together to form the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to take on the ruling NDA, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight would be “India’s”. and Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.
Poonawalla alleged that India is in the name of alliance of opposition parties but not in their agenda.
“First SP released terrorists and gave protection to Yakub (Memon), Afzal (Guru). Congress raised questions on surgical strike, Balakot and put the blame of 26/11 not on Pakistan but on India. This is his real face,” he alleged.
“Will Mamata-di, Kharge ji, Rahul ji tell us their stand?” Poonawalla asked.
The proceedings of the Maharashtra Assembly were adjourned on Wednesday after BJP MLAs created an uproar over Azmi’s remarks of speaking ‘Vande Mataram’.
Raising the issue of the riots in Sambhajinagar district, Azmi also said, “Some people say that ‘Vande Mataram’ has to be spoken if you want to live in India.” we can not do it. We believe in only one God.” This created an uproar as BJP MLAs took serious objection to his remarks.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,