(Image source from: TheIndianExpress.Com)

'Modi-Amit Shah Combo Destroyed Nation': Kejriwal in Mamata's Anti-BJP Rally:- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday rolled the red carpet for several opposition leaders to take on the Narendra Modi-led government ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Several politicians and thousands of workers were gathered at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground for the “United India Rally” to prepare a roadmap for a coalition against the ruling BJP.

Taking to Twitter this morning, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo had said, “I welcome all national leaders, supporters and lakhs of people to participate in today’s rally to pledge to build a stronger, progressive and united India.”

Over 20 national political leaders, including former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha and Arun Shourie; three present chief ministers Chandrababu Naidu, Arvind Kejriwal, and H D Kumaraswamy; and former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav and Gegong Apang were present at the meeting.

Speaking to reporters earlier, Mamata Banerjee had said, “It will be a historic mega rally. It will be a platform of all political parties to drive the BJP out. The nation will hear from leaders of different parties. The rally will mark the death knell for BJP. We (TMC) will hear what all parties have to say. Every political party has its own vision and ideology. We will not thrust our opinion on others. Let the leaders decide. This time regional parties will be the decision-maker.” She added, “BJP will not get more than 125 seats this time. I do not know how many seats Congress will get. Congress is sending (Mallikarjun) Kharge Ji and Abhishek Manu Singhvi for the rally.”

Taking to Twitter, DMK chief M K Stalin said, "It has been a great pleasure meeting all leaders in Kolkata attending the United India rally. I look forward to the public meeting today that will send out a strong message to the BJP that it's days of dividing and ruling India, are numbered."

It has been a great pleasure meeting all leaders in Kolkata attending the #UnitedIndiaRally.

I look forward to the public meeting today that will send out a strong message to the BJP that it's days of dividing and ruling India, are numbered. pic.twitter.com/KwB13331KU

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 19, 2019

A thick security blanket has been thrown around the sprawling ground to prevent any untoward incident.

Taking a dig at the Opposition leaders who are expected to turn up at the rally, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "All of them (opposition leaders) are like tired, defeated wrestlers who want to get back into the ring to apply their luck again. When the first alliance in Karnataka itself is in such a shape, then what will happen in future?"

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said, "I thank Mamata     Ji for inviting me to this event. We have gathered here to defeat one person- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are here to protest against a certain set of ideas and ideologies. This is the first government who enjoys playing with facts and figures. Those who oppose the government are not anti-nationals." Raking up the Kashmir issue, he said, "I had earlier said that the problems in Kashmir cannot be solved  through bullets but dialogue."

Thousands were gathered to witness opposition unity in Kolkata.

Karnataka Chief Minister Kumaraswamy said, "Regional parties have the strong instinct to connect with the people and protect the interests of their states."

By Sowmya