Mamata terms Modi's Mission Shakti announcement 'publicity mongering', alleges poll code violation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of India's anti-satellite missile capability on Wednesday was "limitless drama and publicity mongering", amounting to "gross violation" of the model code of conduct, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.

The PM made the announcement ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to "reap political benefits", Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, said.

"There is no great urgency in conducting and announcing the mission now by a government past its expiry date. It seems a desperate oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat. We are lodging a complaint with the Election Commission," she said.

Addressing the nation on the demonstration of India's anti-satellite missile capability, the prime minister said India had joined an exclusive club of space super powers by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement.

"Today's announcement is yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits at the time of election. This is a gross violation of Model Code of Conduct," Banerjee tweeted.

Pointing out that research, space management and development "are continuous processes", Banerjee said, "Modi, as usual, likes to take the credit for everything."