Meerut: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched his election campaign from here by tearing into the opposition in Uttar Pradesh, calling the alliance “Sarab” which is harmful for the state.
Modi’s vitriolic attack at the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh and likening them to liquor left the alliance leaders fuming, accusing him of taking the political discourse to a new low.
Speaking at the Meerut rally, PM Modi said, “Sapa (Samajwadi Party) ka ‘sa’, RLD (Rashtriya Lok Dal) ka ‘Raa’ aur Baspa (Bahujan Samaj Party) ka ‘ba’, matlab sarab. SP, RLD, BSP, ye sarab aapko barbaad kar degi (This sharab will destroy you).”
Modi also said “sarab” is harmful for one’s health and it is also unhealthy for the health of Uttar Pradesh.
As soon as the PM completed his speech, Congress held a press conference in Delhi, with party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanding an apology from the PM. He said this kind of talk is unbecoming of the Prime Minister of India.
“Does this talk suit the PM? He is calling three political opponents ‘sharab’? This is unacceptable,” he said.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted that the PM muddled up “sarab (mirage)” and “sharab (liquor)” because of the teleprompter.
“Teleprompters exposed how those who promote hate don’t know the difference between ‘sarab’ and ‘sharab’; ‘Sarab’ also means mirage which the BJP has been showing for the last five years,” Akhilesh said.
The SP-BSP and the RLS have formed an alliance in the crucial state which sends 84 MPs to the Lok Sabha. Both SP and BSP are fielding 38 candidates each while the rest has been left for RLD.
According to political observers, Modi’s ‘sarab’ jibe at the mahagathbandhan was aimed at highlighting the unpopular governments presided over by the SP and BSP in the state. With ‘sharab’, Modi has also tried to reach out the women voters. Addiction to liquor especially in rural UP has ruined many poor households. This has led to anti-liquor campaigns in the state spearheaded by the women.
