'INDIA' Will Not Bring Any Benefits To Opposition; PM Modi

New Delhi, July 25: Amid the lock jam in the ongoing session of Parliament over the Manipur issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took potshots at the opposition parties, describing them as “directionless” and dismissing any advantage that they would accrue naming their alliance as INDIA.

The Prime Minister made his remarks at the weekly BJP Parliamentary Party meeting.

Senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad quoted the PM as saying that the opposition block looked “defeated, tired and hopeless” whose single point agenda is opposing Modi.

The PM’s sharp attack on the opposition came as the functioning of the Monsoon session of Parliament remained curtailed over the law and order situation in BJP-ruled Manipur, with the non-BJP and non-NDA parties remaining firm in their stand on the PM making a statement on the issue in Parliament.

Talking to reporters after the party meeting, Prasad said that PM was also critical about naming the opposition alliance as INDIA, asserting that this will not bring any benefits to them.

"They keep praising themselves for the name INDIA. Indian National Congress. East India company. Indian Mujahideen. Popular Front of India - these are also INDIA. Just using the name INDIA does not mean anything," Mr Prasad quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Later in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, widely credited for suggesting the acronym INDIA ( Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), tweeted saying that their alliance will continue to bring peace in the disturbed state as the essence of INDIA is the promotion of peace and harmony.

"Call us whatever you want, Mr. Modi. We are INDIA. We will help heal Manipur and wipe the tears of every woman and child. We will bring back love and peace for all her people. We will rebuild the idea of India in Manipur," he tweeted.

The Manipur violence has stalled proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament since its met last week, with strong demands for the sacking of the State Chief Minister N Biran Singh.

Meanwhile, the ban on internet service has been partially lifted in the State after two and half months.