Discussions being held among BJP leaders to replace PM Modi, claims Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad

Leaders in the BJP were in agreement, albeit among themselves, about the poor state of India’s economy, and were holding ‘internal’ discussions about the need to replace Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though they were too afraid of speaking about this in the open, claimed Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad in Hubballi on Wednesday.

Lad, who had been to New Delhi recently, said that BJP leaders were deliberating on the possibility of replacing Modi with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

“The atmosphere within the party is suffocation, but they don’t have the freedom to speak about Modi and his failures,” Lad said.

Citing veteran politician Subramanian Swamy’s recent remarks about Modi lacking knowledge about the economy and about the PM not being a ‘correct man’, Lad said, “Why don’t the BJP leaders counter Swamy? They are silent because they know what Swamy is saying is right. BJP leaders had supported Swamy when he spoke against Sonia Gandhi.”

The Labour Minister also questioned the lack of adequate data on the stampede at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. “NDA stands for ‘No Data Available’. The PM is performing ‘aarti’ throughout the day and not thinking about the country. Why have GST rates not been reduced? It would have benefitted everybody,” added Lad.

The money being expended on the state government’s guarantee schemes – Rs 60,000 crore – was not affecting disbursal of funds for other projects, said Lad.

“MLAs who felt development was being affected have sought additional funds,” he added.

Guarantee schemes were also part of the government’s vision for development, Lad said, adding that the Congress had disbursed more funds to all sectors compared to the BJP. “There will always be a shortage of funds in the government, but it’s not due to guarantees,” he said.