Chimur/Solapur/Pune (Maharashtra) [India]: Stepping up his attack on Congress in poll-bound Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday alleged that the opposition party wants one caste to fight the other and urged people to stay united while emphasising slogan of “hum ek hain to safe hain”.
Addressing election rallies in Chimur, Solapur and Pune, PM Modi largely focused his attack on Congress, alleging that the party is “looting people” in Karnataka and the money is allegedly being used to fight polls.
He also attacked the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, saying its vehicle has no wheels or brakes” and there is fight over who will drive it.
“Congress is unhappy with your unity and it wants one caste to fight the other. Will you allow this conspiracy to succeed. We have to stay united to defeat the dangerous plans of Congress, hence my appeal to you is ‘hum ek hain to safe hain (we are safe if we are united),” he said.
He also accused Congress of trying to end reservations.
PM Modi talked about BJP-led government’s schemes for all sections of society including women.
“Mahayuti govt is working day and night to empower women. Everyone is talking about Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. It is an example of our commitment towards women. But Maha Vikas Aghadi went to the court to make sure that women do not get this…Today, we are keeping women at the centre of all welfare schemes of the government. We are working on the mission to make three crore women ‘Lakhpati didi’….”
PM Modi also said ethanol blending has increased to 15 per cent after 2014 under BJP-rule and farmers were benefitting from the initiative.
“When Congress was in power, only 2-3 per cent ethanol was blended in petrol. However, when you formed Modi govt in 2014, we decided to increase the ethanol blending. It has increased to 15 per cent, and I’m targeting ethanol-blending of 20 per cent. The farmers have received Rs 80,000 crore due to ethanol, and the sugarcane farmers were the biggest beneficiaries of it,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi spoke of the development works being done by the “double-engine” government in Maharashtra and Pune and said that the “middle-class” has always been a priority for the BJP.He said Congress should be kept away “to save Maharashtra”.”
“In Karnataka, Congress lied and urged people to vote for them. They formed govt and were unable to fulfil their promises. Instead, they are running an extortion campaign in Karnataka. In Karnataka, scams are being unearthed every other day. It means that the Congress is looting people in broad daylight. Allegedly, Congress is using the same money to fight elections in Maharashtra. If we want to save Maharashtra, we need to keep Congress at bay,” he said.
“To empower the people of Pune, infrastructure, investment and industry – all three are required. We have worked on every aspect of it. In the last 10 years, the FDI has increased exponentially. Maharashtra is at the top of the list of investment companies that have been visiting India for investment in the last 2.5 years. Pune and this region will get a huge share of this investment. The number of companies increased when the investment was made in the electronics and IT sectors,” he added.
In Pune, PM Modi said that the relationship between the city and BJP is of “ideology, culture and faith”. “Pune has always supported the ideology and vision of the BJP. I am deeply grateful to the people of Pune for this trust. I have come to assure you that the new Mahayuti government will work faster for the development of Pune and Maharashtra. The coming five years will be the years of new flights of development for Pune,” he said.
He expressed confidence of ruling Mahayuti defeating the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the polls.
Addressing an election rally in Solapur, PM Modi said Maharashtra needs a stable Mahayuti government for the next five years and alleged that MVA’s vehicle “is most unstable”.
“Its only goal is its development. Only a stable government can make long-term policies. Keep in mind that Maha Aghadi is riding a vehicle with no wheels or brakes, and they are fighting with each other to drive it,” he said.
“For decades, Congress governed the country but left many issues unresolved. They kept people preoccupied with various problems, which has become their typical work culture. As a result of this approach, the farmers in Maharashtra have suffered for many years. In this region, Congress and its allies failed to address irrigation issues effectively. In contrast, we have focused on resolving these problems. Thanks to our efforts, the water table in several villages in Solapur is now rising,” he added.
Campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. The polls are scheduled for November 20 and counting will be held on November 23.