Congress slams PM Modi over renaming of Motera Stadium

Following the controversy over the renaming of newly inaugurated Sadar Patel Cricket Stadium in Gujarat's Motera to Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, the Congress party launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister. Criticizing the move, Congress suggested that BJP should create its own legacy rather than changing the existing one.

New Delhi: Congress party, on Wednesday, launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Modi after the world's largest stadium in Gujarat's Motera was renamed from Sadar Patel Stadium to Narendra Modi Stadium, saying that the BJP has "avenged" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for banning the RSS. Congress suggested that BJP should create its own legacy rather than changing the existing one.

While speaking to the media, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "In 2017, Mr Modi removed Mahatama Gandhi from Khadi calendar and he sat there himself. We understand the acrimony, hatred you have against these great icons who chose the Congress route by rejecting the RSS ideology. Today, you've avenged the act of Sardar Patel banning RSS."

Ahead of the India vs England test match in Ahmedabad, President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium, earlier today, which has now been renamed Narendra Modi Stadium.

Taking a swipe at BJP, Pawan Khera said, "One man who would be really depressed today is Mr Lal Krishna Advani. He would be wondering why he didn't name some projects, stadiums, highways after him when he was the deputy PM of India. Mr Modi is clear, he knows what he has done to Mr Lal Krishna Advani and he is worried the same would be done to him. Therefore he removed the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and renamed the stadium after himself. This is unprecedented."

Mentioning that the two main Pavillion of this stadium have been named Adani and Ambani, the Congress leader said, "History may not remember you for what good you've done because you haven't done much. History may not forgive you for what you've done today. If you see the map of this stadium, one end is of Adani's and the other is of Ambani's. This is the story of Indian today."

"It is a sad story of India right now. You don't have anything of your own. You try to disrupt the great flow of Indian civilization by imposing your own ideas, which got rejected by time and again by India historically. Attempts are being made to change history and to make people forget that there existed some great men and women in this country," he further asserted.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took a jibe at BJP over the matter, saying, "Beautiful how the truth reveals itself. Narendra Modi stadium- Adani end, Reliance end. With Jay Shah presiding. #HumDoHamareDo"

• Beautiful how the truth reveals itself.
  
  Narendra Modi stadium
  - Adani end
  - Reliance end
  
  With Jay Shah presiding.#HumDoHumareDo

  — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 24, 2021 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Beautiful how the truth reveals itself.
  
  Narendra Modi stadium
  - Adani end
  - Reliance end
  
  With Jay Shah presiding.#HumDoHumareDo

  — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 24, 2021

  ">

  Beautiful how the truth reveals itself.
  
  Narendra Modi stadium
  - Adani end
  - Reliance end
  
  With Jay Shah presiding.#HumDoHumareDo

  — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 24, 2021

When asked about the Statue of Unity, which has been constructed during the regime of the BJP Government, Pawan Khera said, "If Sardar Patel would have been alive today, even he wouldn't have gone to see that statue. First, create your own legacy so that history remembers it. Do not play around with the existing legacy which we have inherited proudly. When you have nothing to boast about then you have no right to rename other things."