“Limitless drama”: Mamata Banerjee says she will lodge complaint with EC against Modi for “Mission Shakti” announcement

The Opposition parties today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his announcement on the testing of an anti-satellite missile (ASAT). Calling it “Mission Shakti”, in a special address to the nation, PM Modi said India is the fourth country to test an anti-satellite weapon other than the US, Russia and China.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to say “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 added that her party was going to file a complaint on this with the Election Commission. She said, “Research, space management & development are a continuous process over the years. Modi, as usual, likes to take the credit for everything.” She added that credit goes to the scientists and researchers.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi congratulated the defence research organisation (DRDO) and wished the Prime Minister “a very happy World Theatre Day”.

“Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work. I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav too took to Twitter to say how Modi had taken advantage of the impending elections and used it for his own “free” publicity. “Today @narendramodi got himself an hour of free TV & divert nation’s attention away from issues on ground — #Unemployment #RuralCrisis & #WomensSecurity— by pointing at the sky”, he tweeted.

He congratulated DRDO and ISRO saying “this success belongs to you.”