Mission Shakti: Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav Congratulate DRDO, Diss Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite.

Mission Shakti, which was led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was aimed at strengthening India’s overall security, he said.

Soon after the announcement, some Twitter users said that this announcement “could have been an email ”. Meanwhile, opposition parties took pot shots at the prime minister for taking credit for the achievements of scientists.

Mocking Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi wished him “happy World Theatre Day” after the PM’s address to the nation. He also congratulated the DRDO. 

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav  tweeted that Modi got himself an hour of free TV and diverted the country’s attention away from issues on ground.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati accused Modi of playing politics  over anti-satellite missile capability and said that the Election Commission must take note.

The TMC criticised Modi for trying to “take the credit” for the achievement of scientists. Party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the credit goes to those who really deserve it, the scientists and researchers.

She also said the announcement “is yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits at the time of election.”

The Trinamool Congress also said this would not have any impact on the poll prospects of the BJP in the upcoming elections.

“Narendra Modi should stop taking credit of 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.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari also congratulated the scientists and the people of the country for the success of Mission Shakti. 

 (With PTI inputs)