Opposition rallies behind farmers,Yechury compares Modi with Duryodhan

When mythology is used as a tool to explain contemporary politics, it becomes easier for the masses to get the message.

CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, on Thursday, November 28, did the same when he referred to the upcoming Lok Sabha election as a Mahabharat between Kauravas and Pandavas.

Comparing Prime Minister Modi and BJP president with mythical Kaurava brothers - Duryodhan and Dushasan, Yechury in the Kisan rally said, “They talk of Ramayan, but forget about the Mahabharat. Does anyone remember more than two Kauravas? Just like that, only Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are visible.”

The communist party leader used another popular symbol of resistance, Bhagat Singh to attack the Modi government over the agrarian crisis.

He said: “It is this very police station (parliament police station) where Bhagat Singh was detained. Singh used bomb to make a tone deaf British government hear. If this government does not hear then there will be a bigger explosion. And we no longer need bomb, we have votes.”

Apart from Yechury, leaders and representatives of as many as 25 political outfits came together to attack the Modi government over the agrarian crisis at Kisan rally.

Former JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav made an emphatic appeal from the Kisan rally and “Don't let the lotus bloom... You need to stand up and remove this government to save the country, democracy is at risk.”

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said, “We will not sit silent. Instead, we will change this government. There is need to improve the condition of farmers, but the ones who hold the reigns of this government do not care about farmers.”

Expressing solidarity of the people from Jammu and Kashmir with the agitating farmers, National Conference (NC) chief, Farooq Abdullah said raking up Ram temple issue in the time of election will not help anymore.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh castigated PM Modi for speaking lies to the farmers.

Calling him a jumlebaz PM he said, “Modi can only speak, only make promises, but does not do any work. Where is the ₹15 lakh that was promised? Where are the two crore jobs? Instead, they are now bringing up Ram Mandir and Ayodhya.”

“Ram ke Naam pe vote maang rahe hain, kaam ke naam pe nahi,” said Sanjay Singh.

Giving vote of thanks, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at Modi over the farmers’ issues and alleged that he had “stabbed them in the back” by not fulfilling the promises that he made to them. Warning Modi, Kejriwal said, “Fulfill farmers’ demands or they would wreak havoc in 2019 polls.”

Farmers’ issue is going to take the centre stage in Lok Sabha election – 2019. It will work as an adhesive to bring all opposition forces together, said an observer.

“It will have bearing on the outcome of the assembly ejections especially in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh,” he further added.

Although, one of the main constituents of the grand alliance BSP made itself conspicuous by its absence, a source privy to the matter told Herald that BSP decided to stay away from the rally because of the Rajasthan election.

Long term ally of the Congress, DMK did not attend the rally citing “miscommunication” about the timing of the rally.