Maharashtra Congress chief Sapkal attacks PM Modi over Independence Day speech

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech, alleging it lacked substance and demanding an account of past promises. He also defended Congress over the Vande Mataram controversy and attacked BJP’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi’s foreign policy remarks

Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Independence Day speech, saying his 13th address from the Red Fort lacked substance and that the government should first give an account of what promises it fulfilled over the past 12 years.

PM Modi on Saturday morning addressed the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day.

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Reacting to the speech, Sapkal sought to know whether the government had acted upon the promises made by the prime minister in his previous Independence Day addresses.

“He has spoken from the Red Fort. What did he say last year and the year before and what did he do? An account should first be given of what was said and what was actually implemented,” the Congress leader said.

He claimed that the PM’s Independence Day speeches over the past 12 years had largely remained a series of announcements.

Sapkal also hit out at the BJP over the criticism of his party about a viral video which claimed that the Congress has insulted Vande Mataram, saying the episode had nothing to do with the national song.

He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has difficulty standing and walking, and claimed Sonia Gandhi was seen giving directions that a chair should have been arranged for him at the venue.

“The viral video has no connection whatsoever with Vande Mataram. Considering Kharge ji’s age and his difficulty in standing, why was a chair not arranged for him? Sonia Gandhi was giving instructions in this regard,” Sapkal said.

He alleged that the BJP was trying to divert attention from its lack of achievements by linking the issue to Vande Mataram.

“Instead of talking about its work, the BJP is twisting the issue and presenting it differently,” he said.

Defending Congress’s record on Vande Mataram, Sapkal said the song had always been an integral part of the party’s programmes.

“Vande Mataram is the culture of the Congress. Every Congress session begins with Vande Mataram,” he said.

Sapkal said the BJP and organisations associated with it should not lecture Congress on the national song.

He also defended Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the government’s foreign policy, saying the BJP should respond with facts rather than anger.

“Rahul Gandhi spoke about what Narendra Modi does in foreign policy. There is no need to get so angry. The government should explain what its foreign policy is and what its achievements have been,” Sapkal said.

He also criticised the BJP for repeatedly invoking Rahul Gandhi in political debates, saying the government should focus on its own record of governance.