Shruti Suman
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with key figures from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), unveiled the “Modi Ka Parivar” campaign today in response to a personal critique by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch Lalu Yadav, who asserted that the Prime Minister lacks a familial background.
Addressing a rally in Telangana’s Adilabad, Prime Minister Modi remarked, “Leaders affiliated with the INDI alliance, characterized by allegations of corruption, nepotism, and appeasement, are evidently perturbed. When I raise questions regarding their perpetuation of ‘parivarvad’ (dynasty politics), they retort with the claim that Modi has no family.”
Asserting his connection with the populace, Prime Minister Modi emphasized, “My life is transparent, and the 1.4 billion citizens of our nation constitute my family. Today, countless daughters, mothers, and sisters across the country are part of Modi’s family. Every underprivileged individual in the nation is my kin. Those who lack familial support find solace in Modi, and I, in turn, embrace them.”
In a show of solidarity, prominent BJP figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda, updated their social media profiles with the tagline “Modi ka parivar.”
During an opposition rally in Patna, Mr. Yadav responded to the Prime Minister’s allegations of dynasty politics by stating, “What can we make of Narendra Modi’s lack of a familial background? Despite his claims, his actions do not align with traditional Hindu practices. In Hindu tradition, a son shaves his head and beard after the passing of his parents, a ritual which Modi did not observe upon his mother’s demise.”
In a concerted effort, senior BJP leaders also incorporated “Modi ka parivar” into their social media handles, mirroring the approach adopted during the “Main bhi chowkidar” campaign preceding the 2019 general elections. This strategic move was intended to counter the allegations levied by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who accused the Prime Minister of being involved in corruption with his “Chowkidaar chor hai” (the watchman is a thief) remark.
Mr. Yadav’s remarks prompted a swift response from BJP leaders in Bihar, with Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha condemning them as “offensive” and “disrespectful.” Sinha criticized Mr. Yadav’s language and accused the RJD of being antithetical to Sanatan Dharma, emphasizing the need to thwart such divisive forces. He further lauded the Prime Minister’s contributions to preserving the ancient traditions of Sanatan Dharma.
