Mamata Banerjee described the hype around Narendra Modi’s announcement of the anti-satellite (ASAT) missile launch as an “apocalyptic thunderstorm” that turned out to be “a short spell of rainless clouding”.
The Trinamul chief accused the Prime Minister of trying to hog credit for the launch and alleged that his TV address was a “gross violation” of the model code. Union finance minister Arun Jaitley hit back by asserting that the launch was part of a “continuing programme that cannot be put to a halt because it does not suit the Bengal chief minister or any other political leader”.
Earlier, Mamata also highlighted the way BJP “founding fathers” such as L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were being treated by “two big men”. The comment was seen as allusion to Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.
On the Prime Minister’s address about the missile launch, Mamata referred to the build-up around Modi’s announcement.
“Waiting, waiting, waiting…. Arrey bhai, what is this so-called major announcement? I too kept waiting in front of TV….Two hours this morning, totally wasted at this busy time... only for his false publicity,” said the Bengal chief minister.
“I was wondering, will he announce that he is not going to contest? Was he going to announce Advaniji as the next prime ministerial candidate?” she asked.
Mamata said she was aware the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had been capable of the achievement for years and that its scientists had been working tirelessly for realising the potential since 2010.
“The hype was that of an apocalyptic thunderstorm. In the end, it was a short spell of rainless clouding…. Only one satellite, not in use, was destroyed. That too was not necessary at this time,” she said, likening the announcement to the inauguration of a building whose construction began years ago.
“What has Modi done here? Gone to space? Done a space walk? Conducted research for the DRDO? Contributed scientifically to the space mission? No credit, whatsoever, for Modi. Full credit to the scientists. The scientists should have addressed the nation, not him,” she added.
Mamata said India’s space programme has been “world class” for years, since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru and
Indira Gandhi, with contributions from scientists such as Vikram Sarabhai, C.V. Raman and Meghnad Saha.
“Modi likes to take the credit for everything…. The announcement is yet another endless drama and publicity mongering by Modi. This is a gross violation of the model code of conduct. There is no great urgency in conducting and announcing the mission by a government past its expiry date,” she said, adding her party was lodging a complaint with the Election Commission.
Speaking in Delhi, Jaitley termed the objections “clerical” and stressed that “national security prevails over every other consideration”. He said the Opposition had committed a “historic blunder” over the Pulwama terror attack and the Balakot air strikes and now was the opportunity to correct it and stand with the country.
“When the finger points to the moon, the idiot always points to the finger,” the senior BJP leader said, slamming the Opposition for asking questions.
Responding to Jaitley’s comments, Mamata referred to his stint as finance minister. “This Union finance minister…..first of all, he is in a relay race, sometimes here, sometimes not here….Passing the baton every now and then. He has not taken a single key decision of his ministry in the past few years. Where was he, for instance, during demonetisation?” Mamata asked.
“I am sorry to say this, but he has been using silly words…. I had a different impression of him. Why is he saying meaningless things?” she asked.
On Jaitley’s national security-related claim, Mamata said “we always stand by the Centre’s policies on matters such as external affairs and defence”. “That is not our domain.”
Additional reporting by our special correspondent in Delhi
