Amit Shah derides Oppn unity, Modi tells cadres shun negativity

On a day BJP president Amit Shah derided the Opposition's unity moves as a motley group of animals during a flood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged his party workers to "never lower political discourse, keep focused on your work of transforming India."

Modi was interacting with BJP district presidents from across the country to mark the party's founding day.
Asking them to shun the negativity spread by some vested groups, the PM said, "We are living in a time when the opposition to the BJP is at its highest. Sometimes, it also takes a violent turn. This is not because we made a mistake. It is the strength of the BJP that is affecting our opponents. They are unable to digest that a poor person born into a backward family is serving as the nation's PM."

A few hours earlier, Shah had told BJP workers in Mumbai that "A mongoose, a cat, a dog, a cheetah and lion, they are coming together because they see water rising below them. So they are all in one boat --to fight elections." Later, at a press conference, the BJP chief said, "I apologise if anyone felt bad, but I was only talking in the context of ideologies. I want to tell the Congress, BSP and all other opposition parties. Those assembled together do not match in ideologies but they have come together only because they are afraid of PM Modi."

On the other hand, Modi recalled that "the BJP was born in the city of Mumbai, in extremely tough circumstances. The BJP and its senior leaders were virtually ostracised from prevalent political scenario. In fact, if there is one party that has consistently been a victim of political untouchability, it is the BJP."

Modi said, "Times have not changed and now it is for everyone to see where the BJP is and where those who treated the BJP shabbily are."

Shun anger, says Modi

Taking questions from BJP workers, Modi said, "First and foremost, I want to tell you, there is no need for anger. Truth will always triumph. Our way is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and we must remain dedicated to this cause."

He told BJP Karyakartas that elections are won or lost at the booth level, which is why it is important to have effective booth management. "The NDA family is getting Jeet after Jeet (victory after victory), which is forcing the other parties to spread Jhooth after Jhooth (lie after lie). Their only aim is to defeat Modi, nothing else."

The PM said the BJP had spent long years in the Opposition, and knew the issues faced by the people. "Now being in the government, we should work towards those solutions."