Published 12:10 IST, October 16th 2019
PM Modi: Nationalism a basis of nation-building because of Savarkar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra's Akola during which he dissected Veer Savarkar's values
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra's Akola. During his address to people, PM Modi hailed Swatantra Veer Savarkar. PM Modi said that Savarkar's values are the reason that nationalism is considered as a basis of nation-building. The Prime Minister was addressing a rally in Akola, with his statement coming after BJP in Maharashtra made a pitch for Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar.
PM Modi on Veer Savarkar
"Because of Veer Savarkar's values we put nationalism as a basis of nation-building," said Prime Minister Modi
During his speech, Prime Minister Modi also took a jibe at the opposition and said that they have insulted prominent figures like Babasaheb Ambedkar. He added that the opposition deprived Ambedkar of the Bharat Ratna. PM Modi further said that till date several opposition leaders speak ill about Savarkar.
"Even today, they (opposition) abuse Veer Savarkar. They speak bad about him." added PM Modi
BJP seeks Bharat Ratna for Savarkar
In a controversial development ahead of Maharashtra elections, the BJP has sought a Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar in its Maharashtra elections manifesto. The Saffron party has vowed to make a strong pitch for the Bharat Ratna for Savarkar along with social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. The manifesto, titled 'Sampanna, Samruddha, Samarth Maharashtra', was released in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the party's working president J P Nadda in Mumbai.
About Veer Savarkar
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar who is also known as Veer Savarkar was an Indian Independence fighter, politician, lawyer and the credited formulator of 'Hindutva' philosophy. He founded the Abhinav Bharat Society, which wrote extensively on the Indian Independence movement. He was later arrested and sentenced for revolutionary activities to two life terms of imprisonment up to fifty years and was moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He was later released in 1921.
Maharashtra Assembly polls
Maharashtra which has 288 Assembly seats will go to polls in 21 October 2019. Maharashtra assembly elections will be held in a single-phase and the counting procedure would be conducted on October 24. Shiv Sena will contest for polls from 124 constituencies, the BJP will contest from 150 and its allies will contest from 14 constituencies. Meanwhile, Congress in alliance with Sharad Pawar's NCP, have decided to contest 125 seats each in the 288-member assembly, leaving the remaining 38 seats for its allies. Currently, the BJP holds 122 seats while the Shiv Sena holds 63 seats and the Opposition held by UPA has 42 seats.
Updated 18:19 IST, October 16th 2019