New Delhi, January 20: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi who yesterday mocked the gathering of opposition leaders in Kolkata. Addressing PM Modi as "Your Highness", Rahul Gandhi said it was not the voice of the opposition but that of the people "begging to be freed". He asserted the country in the next 100 days will be free of his "tyranny and incompetence".

After laying the foundation stone for a medical college in Silvassa, PM Modi said the proposed Mahagathbandhan of opposition parties was not just "anti-Modi" but against the people of India. referring to TMC's rally in Kolkata where leaders of more than 20 opposition parties came together, PM Modi said: "Today, the entire opposition has come together and is shouting bachao, bachao, bachao." PM Narendra Modi Ups Ante Against Grand Alliance Amid Opposition Show of Strength in Kolkata.

Hitting back, Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Your Highness, the cries for help are the cries of millions of unemployed youth; of farmers in distress; of oppressed Dalits and Adivasis; of persecuted minorities; of small businessmen in ruin; begging to be freed from your tyranny & incompetence. In 100 days they will be free." Opposition Unity on Display as Mamata Banerjee Vows to Oust Modi Government in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.

Earlier today as well, PM Modi had made a scathing attack on Mahagathbandhan, saying it was the coming together of "corruption, negativity and instability". The opposition is staring at defeat in the 2019 election," he said.

Reacting to this, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah posted: "24 hours later the PM is still talking about #UnitedIndiaAtBrigade. Must say I'm surprised! I'd have thought he'd want people to forget the display of strength on @MamataOfficial didi's part."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 20, 2019 08:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).