Highlights | Mahagathbandhan rally becomes rant about Modi rally

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee conducted Mahagathbandhan rally uniting the major opposition parties against the Narendra Modi government ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Kolkata Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday. Leaders from various national and regional parties attended the rally which included leaders like M K Stalin, H D Kumaraswamy, Mallikarjun Kharge, H D Deve Gowda, N Chandrababu Naidu, Arvind Kejriwal, Shatrughan Sinha, Yashwant Sinha, Akhilesh Yadav, and many others.Despite having such a huge congregation of leaders, the rally turned out to be more of ranting session about PM Narendra Modi.

Stage set for Mamata's mega Opposition rally in Kolkata

Leaders of all the opposition parties except the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the CPI(M)-led Left Front will be taking part in the rally, which the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has said will sound the "death knell" for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP...

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Rahul extends support to Mamata's mega opposition rally

On the eve of an Opposition mega rally in Kolkata, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday sent a message to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extending his support for her initiative.

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Prakash Raj not averse to joining Mahaghatbandhan

To a specific question, Prakash Raj said he was not averse to joining Mahaghatbandan, the grand alliance of anti-BJP parties to fight against ‘communal’ forces.

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrives at Brigade Parade Ground for the mega opposition rally

People will remove Modi govt in 2019: Deve Gowda

The people will give their mandate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and remove the Narendra Modi government, JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda said on Friday.

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Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav reached the Brigade Parade Ground. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcome him.

DMK chief M K Stalin and NCP Chief Sarad Pawar reached the Brigade Parade Ground.

The rally starts with Hardik Patel's speech. He emphasises on opposition unit and thanks Mamata Banerjee for uniting the opposition through the rally

"I will say that Subhas Chandra Bose fought the British, we will fight the thieves," says Hardik Patel

"The country is passing through an unprecedented crisis. All parties have to come together to defeat BJP and RSS," says Jignesh Mevani

"The manner in which the country is run, is dangerous for the nation," says Hemant Soren of JMM

Visuals from Brigade Parade Ground

"Communal forces are rising their heads in the country. We have to stand by tribals and Dalits and uproot BJP from the country," says JMM leader Hemant Soren.

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda reaches the venue, Mamata receive him to the stage

"Regional parties have to come together to save the country. Today we have gathered here to save democracy," says Former Arunachal Pradesh CM Gegong Apang.

"The people in Delhi ( BJP) are driving the country and the North East": Gegong Apang

"We want a secular government at the Centre," says Lalduhawma from Mizoram

"The Citizenship Amendment Bill is alienating the North East from rest of the country," says Lalduhawma of Zoram Nationalist Party.

"What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow. Mamata Didi has shown it today," says RLD leader Jayant Chaudhury

"Mamata Banerjee is uncompromising when it comes to West Bengal, But the Prime Minister is uncompromising when it come to unduly giving contracts (Rafael deal)," says Jayant Chowdhury.

"This is the first government (BJP government at the Centre) which tampers with statistics... If you oppose this government they will label you as anti-national," says Yashwant Sinha

"I know what BJP will say after this rally. They will say that we have all gathered here to remove the Prime Minister. But it is not about an individual but against the mindset and viewpoint. I am confident that we will contest the next election together and oust the current government," says Yashwant Sinha.

"This is not about removing one man from power. We have come together to defeat an ideology," he added.

"No other government had been so adamant destroying the institution. Whether it's CBI or RBI are getting affected," says Arun Shourie

"People have lost faith in Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Now we have to convince them that we are together," says Shourie.

Today we are seeing Rainbow of 22 parties here: Abhishek Manu Singhvi

"The aim of this rainbow is to oust the Modi government and make a new India," says Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Congress.

"You have seen whenever the division of votes (against BJP stops) what happens. For instance, take a look at the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha Seat," he added.

Country is in crisis: Sharad Yadav

"Farmers are ruined. Youth are frustrated. Business has slumped due to GST. The economy has gone back 10 years because of demonetisation," Sharad Yadav.

'Mahagathbandhan' will ensure defeat of BJP: Mevani

Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani said the coming together of so many opposition leaders at TMC's opposition rally gives a message for change in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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Hemant Soren calls to uproot BJP from Centre and states

JMM leader Hemant Soren on Saturday called for "uprooting" the BJP from the country and said the opposition parties to give a "fitting" reply to the "communal" party in the next Lok Sabha polls.

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Leaders have to unite and prepare to make sacrifices: Farooq Abdullah

"The BJP is dividing people on the basis of religion. We must all come together to defeat the divisive forces," saysFarooq Abdullah, Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir.

"Look at the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. People are getting killed and being dubbed as anti-national and Pakistani, We have to contest elections in a united manner and not thinking who will be the PM. That can be decided later," he added.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge arrives at Kolkata Airport, he will join the rally

The next Lok Sabha elections will be second freedom struggle: M K Stalin

"We have to send Modi home and save the country. Earlier Modi used to say that he had no opposition. But now he begins every speech by abusing the Opposition. He is afraid to see us united and has understood that his defeat is imminent," says Stalin.

Modi playing mischief with statistics: Yashwant Sinha

Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha on Saturday came down heavily on the Narendra Modi government saying that this was the first government after Independence which has been playing "mischief" with the developmental statistics.

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Modi has turned the government into a private limited company. He is managing director and others are director: Stalin

" We are speaking about the Rafael deal forlast six months. Government own company was bypassed and contract was awarded to a private company. Is not it corruption?" asks M K Stalin

"Narendra Modi is the centre of all corruptions. If he comes back to power, the country will go back 50 years. Modi and Amit Shah are afraid to come to Bengal because Mamata Banerjee is here," Stalin adds.

BJP offering money to Karnataka MLAs: Kumaraswamy

Starting his speech in Bengali Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said "I am very happy to be able to attend the rally. Bengal has always played a key role in progress of the nation."

"It is an honour to share the dais with Mamata Banerjee. She is a role model for the country. This is just the beginning. We will work together to make a new India. Regional parties have played key role in progress. Today we are witnessing a system run by undemocratic leaders at the Centre," says H D Kumaraswamy.

"While the government of Karnataka are waiving loans, state-runbanks are issuing notice to them. I urge all non-BJP leaders to come together and oust BJP. Let us come together and show BJP and show them that they are nothing but a paper tiger," Kumaraswamy adds.

Emergence of strong regional parties in past 70yrs: HDK

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that in 70 years, the country has seen the emergence of strong regional parties which have played important roles to protect the interest of their own states and understanding the emotions of their own people.

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People will select a new PM for the country: Akhilesh Yadav

"What will start in Bengal will reflect in the country. They ( BJP) often taunt us that there are too many PM candidates here," says Akhilesh Yadav

"They ( BJP) are forming alliances with CBI and ED," adds Akhilesh Yadav.

What Pakistan could not do in 70 years Modi and Amit Shah has done in five years: Arvind Kejriwal

"In last five years, the Modi- Amit Shah duo has ruined the country. Youth have no jobs. Modi chatted them into voting for him by promising them jobs. Farmers are angry with BJP They are committing suicide," says Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"Pakistan has already tried to divide the country.If Modi and Amit Shah duo retains power in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, they will change the Constitution and finish democracy," says Kejriwal.

"Many ask me who will be our PM candidate. I tell them that the 2019 Lok Sabha electionis not about becoming PM but about driving out Modi," says Kejriwal.

Kumaraswamy leaves the venue

This Prime Minister is a publicity Prime Minister and not a performing Prime Minister: Chandrababu Naidu

"Today we have gathered here with one mission: save India and save democracy. Five years back, people gave a clear mandate in favour of BJP and NDA. They have cheated the people. We want a performing Prime Minister," says Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Naidu invites all parties for a meeting in his new capital Amravati

BJP's take on Shatrughan Sinha's presence at Oppn rally

"BJP leaders often say that the party leaders gathered here today will not be able to stay together and will fight each other for the Prime Minister's post. Let me assure you we have not come here for any post," said NCP Chief Sharad Pawar

Upcoming polls will be an election to restore democracy: Sonia Gandhi in a message read by Kharge

Mallikarjun Kharge read out a message from Sonia Gandhi: "Crisis is looming on the country. The youths are jobless... The upcoming Lok Sabha election will not be an ordinary one. It will be an election to restore democracy. The rally is an important attempt to galvanise leaders against arrogant Modi government."

I request all parties here to work for a united manifesto for Lok Sabha elections: H D Deve Gowda

"Destabilising all the constitutional bodies is the major achievement of Modi government," says Deve Gowda

"Modi says coalition government can't bring good to nation, but I wish to remind him to check the initiatives of the coalition government under my prime ministership. We had done a lot of the development activities in that short period, which you are harvesting now," Gowda says referring Borgibeel bridge and others.

Modi digs at Mahagathbandhan.

My actions against corruption have infuriated some people. It's but natural for them to get angry as I've prevented them from looting public money. Consequently, they have now formed an alliance called Mahagathbandhan.

The mood of the nation is : change, change and change: Shatrughan Sinha

"I have never seen such a lively rally. The credit goes to Mamata Banerjee. I have come here answering the call of Mamata Banerjee to save the country and democracy," said Shatrughan Sinha.


"People often ask me why I speak against BJP even as I am a member of the party. They ask me whether I am a rebel. I tell them if telling the truth means being a rebel, then yes I am a rebel," says Shatrughan.

Regarding Rafael deal Shatrughan Sinha said referring to the Prime Minister: "I will not say that you are guilty. But I will also not say that you are not guilty... Why 36 Rafael jets were bought instead of 126 jets? How did the price increase three times? Why was contract given to a 10-day-old private company instead of HAL? As long as you keep suppressing the facts you will keep hearing " Chowkidar Chore Hai!"

Modi is a manufacturer, seller and distributor of lies: Tejashwi Yadav

Modi govt's expiry date is up: Mamata

"BJP has ruined India. BJP is busy in inciting riots. Banks, CBI, RBI, tax collection, democracy all have collapsed. But BJP is behaving as if it's the boss. In Karnataka, the JD( S)-Congress government is a democratically elected one. They (BJP) are trying to purchase MLAs. We are not holding the rally to topple the government but to ensure justice to people," says Mamata Banerjee.

"Everyone has to come together in the interest of the nation. They should field strong candidates... Collective leadership is very important... No need to think who will be in the PM. We will decide that together after elections," says Banerjee.

"They(BJP) have ruined the prestige of CBI. We will not allow riots in Bengal in the name of Rath Yatra. It's my promise to people. We had enough of 'acche din', now it's time to drive out the BJP," adds Banerjee.

Need to defeat dangerous BJP govt at any cost: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday called upon people to defeat the "dangerous" BJP government at the Centre at any cost.

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BJP duped people, failed to keep promises: Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said the BJP has betrayed the people of the country by reneging on all the promises it had made before the 2014 general elections.

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Oppn parties should fight BJP unitedly: Deve Gowda

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Saturday said with the general elections close at hand, the opposition parties should forget their differences and come together to fight the BJP unitedly.

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Sonia, Rahul have sent wishes for oppn rally: Kharge

Representing the Congress at a mega-gathering of opposition parties here on Saturday, Mallikarjun Kharge said party chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had sent their good wishes for the rally.

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Kumaraswamy accuses BJP of offering cash to K'taka MLAs

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy lashed out at the BJP offering bribes to the JD(S) and Congress MLAs on Saturday. He was addressing the gathering at the Trinamool Congress' (TMC) mega opposition rally in Kolkata.

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LS polls will be second fight for Independence: Stalin

DMK president M K Stalin on Saturday said the upcoming general elections will be akin to the second freedom struggle for people of India to fight against the "radical Hinduism" of the BJP.

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Modi government's expiry date is up: Mamata

The Modi government's expiry date is up, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday. She was addressing the mega opposition rally of Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata.

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Mahagathbandhan rally: Who said what?

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'Those stopped from looting money are forming alliance'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday targeted the 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) mulled by opposition parties, calling it a combine of those he prevented from looting India.


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Opposition parties form a four-member committee to suggest electoral reforms to EC before Lok Sabha polls: Mamata Banerjee

Absentees at Mamata rally too tell a story