Biopic on Modi a joke as he didn't fulfil promises: Urmila Matondkar
“Make comedy film on him”
Mumbai, Apr 18: Actor Urmila Matondkar, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election as a Congress candidate from Mumbai North, Thursday said the biopic made on Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a joke as he has failed to fulfil his promises.
She was talking to reporters at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh here.
"The biopic made on his (Modi's) life is nothing but a joke as the prime minister, who claims to have a 56-inch-chest, has miserably failed to deliver anything. The movie made on his life is a joke on the democracy, poverty and diversity of India, which has been damaged," she said.
"Rather, a comedy film should be made on him and his unfulfilled promises," the actor-turned-politician quipped.
The biopic on Modi, starring Vivek Oberoi, was set to hit the screens on April 11. However, the Election Commission ordered a stay on its release during the poll period.
The Election Commission has banned the screening of Modi's biopic starring actor Vivek Oberoi during the poll period. It was set to hit the screens on April 11.
"What can be worse than a prime minister of a democratic country not holding even a single press conference in the last five years," she said.
The "Rangeela" actor said she supported Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's sons-of-the-soil theory at a personal level and felt that there was nothing wrong in it.
"At a personal level, yes I fully support the Marathi issue and will always support. I am thankful to Raj Thackeray for extending his support to me.
"But let me also tell you that the constituency from where I am contesting, is like a mini-India and people from all corners of the country come and live there. I am seeking everyone's vote as I feel I can represent them well," she said.
Matondkar, who is taking on BJP candidate and sitting MP Gopal Shetty in this election, said he has not done anything in the constituency in the last five years.
"Wherever I went during the poll campaign and asked people, they said the MP had not paid even a single visit to their locality in the last five years," she said.
According to her, she was being trolled on social media and several disturbing comments and sexist remarks were being passed about her family, marriage and career.
"But such personal attacks and comments have made me stronger," she said.
Replying to a query whether her stardom would help her win the election, she said that in politics, the public is the real star and her fate was in their hands.
Election for all the six seats in Mumbai will be held on April 29.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
