Oppn sees red as Prez talks about Emergency

THE reference to the Emergency in President Droupadi Murmu's address set off another political storm on Thursday with the Opposition INDIA bloc leaders launching an attack on the Modi government.

- PREETHA NAIR

In her address, the President described the imposition of Emergency as the "biggest and darkest chapter" of a direct attack on the Constitution.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "There was no logic in talking about the Emergency in the address after 49 years. We did not hear anything about the NEET exam or unemployment. The word Manipur did not come out from President Murmu or PM Modi. Issues like the India-China border should have been taken up in the address.' "

Congress MP Tariq Anwar said the President's speech was old wine in a new bottle.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said, "What did the BJP do for the people who were jailed during the Emergency? SP gave them respect and pensions."