Ramdas Athawale Defends Modi Government Amidst Opposition Rallies
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale asserts that the political climate favors PM Modi, despite opposition rallies led by Rahul Gandhi.
Mumbai, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : Union Minister Ramdas Athawale recently criticized the opposition’s rallies and their allegations against the Election Commission, stating that the current political atmosphere is in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He acknowledged the right of the opposition to protest but emphasized that raising doubts about constitutional institutions is inappropriate.
Athawale remarked that no matter how many rallies Rahul Gandhi organizes, he has the right to do so. However, he expressed concern over the negative sentiment among the public due to the ongoing protests against the Election Commission. The Commission has removed names from the voter list to correct inaccuracies, and Athawale believes that creating controversy over this is unjustified. He pointed out that when the BJP came to power in 2014, the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner occurred during the Congress administration.
He further stated that such rhetoric and theatrics are not suitable in a democracy. Continuous protests can inconvenience the public, and changing a government through demonstrations is unlikely. Athawale suggested that if the opposition wishes to challenge the government, they should focus on the 2029 elections instead of using derogatory language against Modi, which he claims tarnishes Congress’s reputation.
Athawale also commented on the impact of rallies on local businesses, noting that such gatherings should not have taken place before Diwali, as merchants had requested otherwise. The protests have caused financial losses for business owners.
He praised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a strong leader but criticized her for alleging vote theft in the upcoming 2026 assembly elections. He recalled that when her government was formed in 2021, no such claims were made, and he had congratulated her at that time.
Athawale concluded by reflecting on historical violence against the Sikh community following Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984, asserting that the Sikh community will not forget those events and expressing confidence in the BJP’s prospects in Punjab.
