Fadnavis observes fast, says no alternative to Modi as PM

There is no alternative to Narendra Modi as prime minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today as he, along with a number of BJP MPs and MLAs, observed a day-long fast here.

The fast was observed by BJP leaders across the country on Modi's call to protest the washout of the recent Budget session of Parliament by opposition parties.

Fadnavis was joined by MPs Poonam Mahajan and Paresh Rawal, local MLAs Parag Alavani, Amit Satam and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar during the fast at the party office in suburban Vile Parle.

On the occasion, the chief minister hit out at the Congress and charged it with "murdering the democracy" by stalling the Budget session of Parliament.

The Congress has no moral strength to face Parliament when the prime minister counters it, he told reporters.

"People know the contradictions of the opposition parties. They cannot stay together. What is the alternative to Modi in terms of policies, programmes and leadership? The opposition only wants power...," he said.

He said the Congress has no moral strength to face Parliament when the prime minister counters it.

In a scathing attack on the Opposition, he said, "The BJP had to watch the murder of democracy by the Congress during the Budget session. Debate is an important aspect of Parliament. We may agree to disagree, but a discussion should be allowed."
He alleged that most of the atrocities on Dalits took place during the Congress rule while "the Dalit and tribal entrepreneurship is being encouraged by the Modi government."