New Delhi: Stating that anti-Congressism has been “heart and soul” of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia’s political legacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused socialist parties and other regional parties of ‘betraying’ the principles of the late leader.
“Anti-Congressism was Dr Lohia’s heart and soul. …..Yet, today those parties that falsely claim to be Dr Lohia’s followers are desperate to form an opportunistic Maha Milawat or adulteration alliances with the same Congress. It is both ironical and reprehensible,” the Prime Minister wrote in a blog piece on the occasion of birth anniversary of the freedom fighter and socialist leader Late Lohia.

Modi further writes, “Dr Lohia always believed that dynastic politics was inimical to democracy. He would have been flabbergasted to see his ‘followers’ think about their own families first instead of the nation”.

The Prime Minister said it was largely due to the efforts of Dr Lohia that “ensured a shock to the then all-powerful Congress in 1967 elections”.

“That time, Atal Ji remarked- “Due to Dr. Lohia’s efforts, one could travel on board the Howrah-Amritsar Mail without having to pass a single Congress state!”

Unfortunately, today Dr. Lohia would be horrified at the political developments taking place. Those parties that claim inspiration from Dr. Lohia have completely abandoned his principles. They are leaving no opportunity to insult him,” Prime Minister wrote.

In this context, Mr Modi also quoted the veteran socialist leader from Odisha, Surendranath Dwivedy and remarked – “He (Dr. Lohia) was imprisoned many times more during Congress regime than under the British rule.”

Born on March 23, 1910, Late Lohia died on October 12, 1967.

In 1963, Lohia was elected as the member Parliament for Lok Sabha from the Farrukhabad constituency, Uttar Pradesh from the Samyukta Socialist Party.

Late Lohia also penned book ‘Guilty Men of India’s Partition’.

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