Bengaluru, July 18 (UNI) After christening their grand alliance the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a galaxy of Opposition leaders including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take them on in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing the media after a mega political meeting of parties opposed to the BJP, Gandhi said it is a fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP's ideology, Mamata challenged the NDA government at the centre to face INDIA.

Former Congress President Gandhi said it is NDA versus INDIA and Narendra Modi versus INDIA. "The idea of India is being attacked and voice of India is being snatched from millions of Indians. This is a fight for India's voice and that is why we have chosen this name - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (India)," he said after conclusion of Day 2 of the meeting here.

The fight is also against Modi and BJP's ideology, Gandhi said. "We are defending the Indian constitution, the voice of our people and the idea of this great country, the idea of India. We all know who wins when someone takes on the idea of India," he said.

Banerjee alleged that the government at the centre has only one job of buying and selling governments. "The BJP is making deals to sell the country, to buy democracy. This is why they don't let independent agencies function," she alleged.

Banerjee said India will win, the BJP will lose. "Bharat will win, the BJP will lose. INDIA will win, the country will win," she said.

Throwing a challenge, she questioned the prowess of the NDA to take on INDIA. She said: "We have taken up a real challenge. NDA, can you challenge India? BJP, can you challenge India? We love our motherland. We are the patriotic people of this country. We are for the country, for youth, for farmers, for good economy, for Dalits, for all."

"All our challenge, focus publicity, campaigning, and programmes will be under the banner of INDIA. If anybody has a challenge, catch us if you can. Save India from disaster. Save the people of India," she said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the NDA government has ruined the country's economy in its nine years of rule at the centre.

"The best thing is, you buy a second-class ticket and get into any train and you will find that the railways, which used to be okay 4-5 years ago, has been completely ruined by these people," he said.

The NDA also ruined the economy and "sold" the railways, ships, the sky, the ground and part of under-ground as well, Kejriwal said. "Every person is unhappy in the country today - the youth, farmers, labourers, businessmen, industrialists, housewives, homemakers. Who is not unhappy?" he asked.

All 26 parties have not gathered for themselves, but to save the country from hatred and with a new dream of India. "An India where every youth gets employment, where every poor child gets a good education and everyone who is ill gets proper treatment," he said.

"Our dream is of a country where there will be peace, love and progress and not one where the resources are given to a few people," Kejriwal added. UNI BDN SSP