File photo: PM Modi (Picture credit: ANI)
LUCKNOW: Mounting yet another scathing attack on Congress, PM Narendra Modi Thursday accused past govts of glorifying one family while neglecting contributions of other national icons, and practising political untouchability. BJP govt freed the country from the “tendency” to attribute every achievement to just one (Nehru-Gandhi) family, he said.Speaking after inaugurating Rashtra Prerna Sthal, a memorial dedicated to Jan Sangh stalwarts, on the 101st birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow, Modi also said, “BJP is proud that our govt had the opportunity to tear down the wall of Article 370”. He said the legacy of good governance created by BJP-led NDA govt was now being taken to new heights at both central and state levels. “After Independence, a tendency emerged to associate all the good work that took place in India to the same family. Be it books, govt schemes, institutions, streets, roads or squares, it was all connected to the pride of one family… “…Our govt, serving Mother India, is giving respect to her every child, to everyone’s contribution.” he said.Rashtra Prerna Sthal houses 65-ft tall statues of Vajpayee, Syama Prasad Mookherjee and Deen Dayal Upadhyay. Constructed at a cost of Rs 230 crore, the memorial sprawling over 65 acres also houses a lotus-shaped museum depicting the life and journey of the stalwarts.Reiterating BJP’s sharp narrative contrasting dynastic politics with merit based recognition, the PM asserted his govt was honouring national icons who were ignored earlier across party lines.BJP did not let the legacy of B R Ambedkar be undermined, he said, referring to the ‘panchteerth’ associated with the Dalit icon. He accused Congress of attempting to dismantle Ambedkar’s legacy.
