Opposition rally HIGHLIGHTS: BJP's 'achhe din' over, says Mamata Banerjee

Tejashwi Yadav accused Modi of being a factory, manufacturer and distributor or lies

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Large-scale preparations have been made to ensure that the rally turns out to be massive success. Besides the huge stages, 20 watchtowers have been erected and 1,000 microphones and 30 LED screens put up so that the spectators can see the leaders and hear them speak clearly.

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BJD's political stance holds significance as Odisha, where they are in power since 2000, sends 21 members to Lok Sabha.

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Patnaik had made it clear that the BJD will not be a part of the Mahagathbandhan, a national level alliance against the BJP-led government at the Centre.

 

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Absence of Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik or his representative at the event is bound to set the tongue wagging in the political circle.

 

"The BJD has been maintaining equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress since 2009. Therefore, it is not possible for the regional party to join the united opposition rally," BJD spokesman P K Deb said.

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BJD to skip rally

The Biju Janata Dal is unlikely to participate in the "united opposition rally" in Kolkata in pursuance of its policy of keeping equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress, a BJD leader said.

10:26 AM

"The country wants a new prime minister. The country is waiting for a new Prime Minister," Akhilesh Yadav said at the NSC Bose Airport after reaching Kolkata to attend the January 19 public rally at the invitation of West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee.

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Key opposition leaders including SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav, DMK president MK Stalin, former prime minister Deve Gowda, and TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of the TMC-led mega rally.

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“The entire opposition is united in our belief that true nationalism and development can only be defended on the tested pillars of democracy, social justice and secularism, ideas that the BJP and Mr (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi are intent on destroying,” Rahul said.

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Congress president Rahul Gandhi has written to West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee extending his support to the mega opposition rally she is hosting.

 

“The entire opposition is united... I extend my support to Mamata Di on this show of unity and hope that we send a powerful message of a united India together,” Gandhi wrote in his letter.