"For BJP, Party Comes First, Nation Later"

Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers through a mega video conference amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, opposition leaders of Uttar Pradesh slammed Modi for his 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot' event. Opposition leaders accused the prime minister of focusing on politics and elections even amid the national security crisis.

PM Modi addressed over one crore party workers, who participated from 15,000 location across the country. The party has also claimed on social media that this is the "world's largest video conference".

Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson, Abdul Hafiz Gandhi, speaking to Newsclick, said, "BJP has become the election-contesting machine. BJP's election hysteria has done disservice to the nation. Lot of money is being pumped into these programmes. From where is all this money coming, if not from corruption? There are major failures of the central government in terms of employment creation, agrarian crisis, controlling communalism, strengthening the economic growth and ensuring cordial relationship with all its neighbouring countries. BJP's emphasis on booth shows that government has not done satisfactory work in different fields. People will certainly reject such a party in 2019 elections.”

Pramod Tiwari, senior Congress leader of Uttar Pradesh, told Newsclick, "Congress party says mera desh sabse mazboot(My nation is the strongest). And at the time of the conflict, we are with our Indian soldiers, and stand against terrorism. Now, former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP state chief BS Yeddyurappa has claimed that the number of BJP’s seats will increase due to the air strike. Instead of thinking about nation's security, Modi is more concerned about his party and strengthening booth.”

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) patriarch Mayawati took to Twitter, and accused Modi of betraying national sentiments. She said, "At a time when India is facing hostility of war and country needs firm leadership, PM Nrendra Modi instead of concentrating on the matters of national security trying to serve political interest by addressing his BJP workers is ridiculous besides betrayal of national sentiments."

At a time when India is facing hostility of war and country needs firm leadership, PM Nrendra Modi instead of concentrating on the matters of national security trying to serve political interest by addressing his BJP workers is ridiculous besides betrayal of national sentiments.

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) February 28, 2019

Speaking toNewsclick, Abhay Kumar Dubey, a political commentator, said, "Modi will definitely add some brownie points into his account by doing this video conference. Modi says,Main Desh Nahin Mitne Dunga(I will never allow the nation to perish), but such condition has come because he did nothing when he was in power. If he has done work, then Kashmir issue would have been solved. Pulwama terror attack would never have happened. Instead of feeling ashamed for such condition in the country, Modi is taking credit and trying to take political mileage."

A social activist said, "I am an ardent Modi supporter myself, but couldn't this have waited? Even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called off his fast cum dharna. But for Modi, his party is the top priority, and nation comes later. It shows how Modi is insecure about losing elections.”

Read More: BJP Moves Seamlessly into Election Mode