(Rptg, correcting day in lead para)
New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) A day before the joint opposition rally hosted by All India Trinamol Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday hoped that it would send across a powerful message of a united India together.
In a letter to Ms Mamata Banerjee, Mr Gandhi said the entire opposition was united in their belief that true nationalism and development can only be defended on the tested pillars of democracy, social justice and secularism, ideas that the BJP and Mr Modi were intent on destroying.
'Across India, there are powerful forces afoot. Forces that are fanned by the anger and disappointment of hundreds of millions of Indians who have seen through the false promises and lies peddled by the Modi Government. These forces are moved by the hope of a new tomorrow; a tomorrow filled with the idea of an India in which the voice of every man, woman and child will be heard and respected no matter what their religion, economic status or region, Mr Gandhi said.
'The entire opposition is united in our belief that true nationalism and development can only be defended on the tested pillars of democracy, social justice and secularism, ideas that the BJP and Mr Modi are intent on destroying,’’ he said.
Commending the people of Bengal who, he said, have historically been at the forefront of defending our ideals, Rahul said,’’I extend my support to Mamata Di on this show of unity and hope that we send a powerful message of a united India together.’’
The rally is seen as a massive show of Opposition strength with 40 lakh crowd expected to converge in Kolkata for the event.
UNI AR SB 1419/1459