New Delhi [India], March 28 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday backed Uddhav Thackeray's remarks on 'Saugat-e-Modi' kit, stating that these gifts are being distributed with taxpayers' money but the credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
When asked to comment on Thackeray's remarks, Chaturvedi said, "Sahi baat hai (That is correct). The way they say things about Muslims and do polarization. But as soon as Eid comes, they are being given this 'Saugat-e-Modi'. What is 'Saugat-e-Modi'? These gifts are being distributed with taxpayers' money, but the credit goes to PM Modi. Uddhav Thackeray explained this difference."
Thackeray, on Thursday, attacked the BJP for its newly-launched Saugat-e-Modi scheme, alleging that the party has forsaken Hindutva and resorted to 'satta jihad' (power jihad).
Thackeray criticised the move, branding it as 'Saugat-e-Satta' (a gift of power) and accused the BJP of appeasement politics for electoral gains in Bihar.
Earlier, Union Minister Chirag Paswan and senior BJP leaders and NDA allies in Bihar defended the distribution of 'Saugat-e-Modi' kits, asserting that the initiative aligns with the government's commitment to inclusive development.
On the Opposition's allegations that 'Saugat-e-Modi' kits are an electoral stunt, Chirag Paswan underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and accused the Opposition of "destroying" Bihar when they were in power.
The BJP's initiative has drawn attention as political parties in Bihar gear up for the upcoming elections. Opposition parties have raised concerns over the timing of the distribution, alleging it as a political move ahead of the polls.
BJP Minority Morcha launched its "Saugat-e-Modi" campaign, aiming to distribute special kits to 32 lakh underprivileged Muslims across the country ahead of Eid.
The initiative, kicked off from Nizamuddin in Delhi on Tuesday under the guidance of BJP National President JP Nadda, seeks to ensure that poor Muslim families can celebrate the festival without any hardship.
As part of the campaign, 32,000 Minority Morcha workers collaborated with 32,000 mosques nationwide to reach the needy.
Earlier, Jamal Siddiqui, the National President of the BJP Minority Morcha, outlined the campaign's broader vision, stating that during the holy month of Ramadan and upcoming occasions like Eid, Good Friday, Easter, Nauruz, and the Indian New Year, the Minority Front will reach out to those in need through the "Saugat-e-Modi" campaign.
Eid Milan celebrations will also be organised at the district level, he added.
The National Media Charge of the Minority Morcha, Yasir Zilani, explained that the "Saugat-e-Modi" scheme is a campaign launched by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with the goal of promoting welfare schemes among the Muslim community and gathering political support for the BJP and NDA.