In a huge show of strength, leading non-BJP leaders from around the countries gathered at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday. Among those who attended the Saturday’s rally were DMK leader MK Stalin, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani, Patidar leader Hardik Patel, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha and former BJP union minister Yashwant Sinha.
The rally was organised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a bid to show the unity among non-BJP parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Speaking at the rally, Kharge said, “I appeal that we all unite to save the Constitution & the democracy. They (BJP) are helping their corporate friends. They promised to provide 2 crore jobs every year, where are the jobs?”
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said accusing the BJP of forming an alliance with the CBI and Enforcement Directorate to harass opposition leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. “As elections are approaching,you’re forming alliance with CBI and ED while we’re forming alliance with people of India,” Yadav was quoted by news agency ANI.
BSP leader SC Mishra, who was representing his leader Mayawati, said, “Factories have closed down, farmers are in distress, minorities are the worst affected under this government, such a government needs to be uprooted.”
Stalin said, ” Wherever PM Modi is going he is fiercely attacking the Opposition, Modi is fearful of the Opposition and that is why he is also cursing us. He is afraid of our unity. We must come together to safeguard India.”
BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha said, “The mood of the nation is Parivartan (change). Parivartan. Parivartan. People want a new leadership. Isse zyada jaandar, shaandar aur damdaar rally maine kabhi nahin dekha. (I have seen more power rally than this in my life).”
Kejriwal said, “Today is a historic day for the country. The Shah-Modi duo have destroyed the country.”