Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of India’s anti-satellite missile capability on Wednesday was “limitless drama and publicity mongering”, amounting to “gross violation” of the model code of conduct, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. The PM made the announcement ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to “reap political benefits”, Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, said.
“There is no great urgency in conducting and announcing the mission now by a government past its expiry date. It seems a desperate oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat. We are lodging a complaint with the Election Commission,” she said. Addressing the nation on the demonstration of India’s anti-satellite missile capability, the prime minister said India had joined an exclusive club of space super powers by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement.
“Today’s announcement is yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits at the time of election. This is a gross violation of Model Code of Conduct,” Banerjee tweeted.
Pointing out that research, space management and development “are continuous processes”, Banerjee said, “Modi, as usual, likes to take the credit for everything.”
“Credit to those who really deserve it, our scientists & researchers,” she added. “India’s Mission Programme is world-class for many many years. We are always proud of our scientists, @DRDO_India, other research & space organisations,” she tweeted. The TMC had earlier criticised the prime minister for trying to “take the credit” of the achievement of space scientists in shooting down a live satellite.
The party said this would not have any impact on the poll prospects of the BJP in the upcoming elections.
“Narendra Modi should stop taking credit for the achievement or job done by others. Shooting down a satellite is the credit of our scientists. The Modi government in the last five years has failed to provide any relief to the people of the country,” senior TMC leader and West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim said. “So ahead of the elections, the BJP and Modi should stop these tricks to fool the masses. It won’t have any impact on the poll prospects of the BJP in the upcoming elections,” Hakim said. Modi said the action was not directed against any country and the satellite was a pre-determined target orbiting at an altitude of 300 km.
