New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack on the Opposition, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitin Nabin strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s student-centric ‘Goonj’ programme on Tuesday, accusing the rival party of constantly misleading the youth.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Nabin questioned the credibility of the Congress party’s initiatives. “Those who have given the term ‘Goonj’ [echo], how much depth do they have in their own voice? Those who are misleading the nation’s youth, had there been any real substance to their voices, they would have done something for the youth of the country when they had the chance,” he remarked.
Asserting that the younger generation firmly supports the ruling government, Nabin highlighted the administration’s focus on youth empowerment. “Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the youth of the country are moving towards self-reliance. Therefore, I do not think their ‘Goonj’ will resonate beyond their own party workers,” he stated, adding that the BJP’s developmental echo resonates across the entire nation.
When questioned about the Opposition’s ongoing student outreach campaigns, the BJP leader fired back by listing the Centre’s flagship initiatives. “Where was Rahul Gandhi when initiatives like ‘Khelo India’, ‘Fit India’, ‘Startup India’, and ‘Make in India’ were launched?” Nabin asked. He further emphasised that the BJP’s programmes are strictly shaped by its own ideology, vision, and manifesto, rather than being dictated by the Opposition’s political agenda.
The press conference also served to outline the BJP’s expansive plans to celebrate Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming birthday on September 17. The party will observe the day as ‘Seva Diwas’ and initiate a month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ to commemorate the Prime Minister’s milestone of 25 years in continuous public office. Additionally, an ‘Ashirwad Ke Diye’ (Lamps of Blessing) programme will be organised on September 17 to express gratitude for his years of public service.
In a parting shot loaded with sarcasm, Nabin took a swipe at the Opposition’s continuous criticism of the ruling government. Referring to the upcoming month-long celebration, he quipped that he hopes the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ will succeed in appeasing the ‘naraaz fufa’ (a colloquial term for a perpetually disgruntled relative), indirectly mocking the political rivals for their unrelenting discontent.