Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in the town of Jagtial and addresses the recent 'Shakti' controversy caused by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Modi declares his unwavering support for the power and strength of women and dedicates the success of the recent Chandrayaan mission to the Hindu deity 'Shiv Shakti'. He also denounces the opposition's efforts to undermine the EVM voting system and calls for a fair and respectful election process.
Narendra Modi's Jagtial Rally: Addressing 'Shakti' Controversy and EVM Allegations
Background:
On April 16, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in the town of Jagtial, Telangana. The rally was part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Modi's speech focused on the recent "Shakti" controversy and allegations of electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering.
'Shakti' Controversy:
The term "Shakti" refers to the Hindu deity of power and strength. During an election rally in March 2019, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi labeled the BJP's ideology as "Shakti versus Shakti". This was seen as an allusion to the BJP's perceived support for Hindu nationalists who advocate for the marginalization of Muslims.
Modi's Response:
In his Jagtial speech, Modi vehemently denounced Rahul Gandhi's comments, stating that he was "undermining the dignity of women." Modi declared his unwavering support for "Shiv Shakti," the Hindu deity of female power, and dedicated the recent Chandrayaan mission's success to her.
EVM Allegations:
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have alleged that EVMs used in previous elections have been tampered with, leading to manipulated results. These allegations have been repeatedly denied by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which maintains that the machines are secure and tamper-proof.
Modi's Stance on EVMs:
In his Jagtial speech, Modi strongly denounced the opposition's allegations regarding EVMs. He called for a fair and respectful election process, emphasizing the importance of accepting the results without resorting to accusations of foul play.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. What is the 'Shakti' controversy? Answer: It stems from Rahul Gandhi's comments that the BJP's ideology pits "Shakti" (power) against another "Shakti" (female power), which was seen as an insult to women.
2. How did Modi respond to the controversy? Answer: Modi condemned Rahul Gandhi's comments and declared his support for "Shiv Shakti," the Hindu deity of female power.
3. What are the allegations about EVMs? Answer: Opposition parties have claimed that EVMs have been tampered with to manipulate election results.
4. How did Modi address the EVM allegations? Answer: Modi denounced the allegations, emphasizing the need for a fair election process and accepting the results without suspicion.
5. What was the significance of Modi's speech in Jagtial? Answer: The speech allowed Modi to address the 'Shakti' controversy and EVM allegations, while rallying support for the BJP in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
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