Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the Congress manifesto for its Muslim league imprints equating the grand old party to that of Mohammed Ali Jinnah led body that had ultimately caused the 1947 partition to carve out Pakistan and whatever part of it is left is completely dominated by the leftists.
“The kind of manifesto released by Congress yesterday proves that today’s Congress is completely cut off from the hopes and aspirations of today’s India. Reflecting a historical ideology akin to the Muslim League, the manifesto is heavily influenced by leftist ideologies. Overall, the Congress fails to address contemporary issues and is unfit to lead India into the 21st century,” Modi said at a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, that will vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19. The Prime Minister said the Congress that once fought for independence ended decades ago. Now, the remaining Congress lacks neither policies for the welfare of the nation nor a vision for nation-building.” “The Congress government had weakened India’s image and made it a corrupt country. Today, the BJP government has made India’s image strong and has made it a rapidly developing country. That’s why today the whole country is once again saying - ‘Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar’,” the PM added.
After Saharanpur rally, stepping up the tempo of poll campaign, the Prime Minister addressed rally in Ajmer in Rajasthan and held a road show in Ghaziabad in support of BJP candidate Atul Garg. In his first roadshow in the State since the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls last month, the prime minister was joined by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Garg in an open jeep as Modi waved at the enthusiastic lot of supporters. The roadshow started from the Maliwad Chowk and will culminate at Chaudhary Mod. The district administration has made elaborate security arrangements for the event including the deployment of large number of personnel and enforcing traffic diversions. This is the PM first roadshow in Uttar Pradesh after the announcement of Lok Sabha elections.
Braving the harsh sun, the supporters had been waiting on the road since the afternoon as drums and bands kept them engaged. As the Prime Minister’s vehicle moved slowly on the road, people lining on the both sides of the road showered flowers on him and raised slogans. Paintings were installed at various points on the way including one of his mother Hiraben blessing him. A tableaux of Lord Ram and Sita was also exhibited.
Modi remarked on the BJP’s foundation day, highlighting the party’s rapid growth and widespread support. He attributed this success to the party’s focus on national interest over politics, emphasizing their slogan ‘Nation First’ and said that BJP foundation day resonates our priority of ‘Rashtraneeti’ over ‘Rajneeti’.
Talking about the ‘Vocal For Local’ campaign, Modi said, “The wood carving of Saharanpur and the renowned skills of its people are well-known far and wide. We want to boost sales of your products, which is why he has brought ‘One District, One Product’ scheme. Have you ever heard such things from the leaders of the opposition alliance? We have initiated the PM Vishwakarma Yojana to increase the income of all families involved in traditional arts. This will greatly benefit our artisans in Saharanpur on a large scale.”
Without taking the name of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Prime Minister Modi said, “You might remember here in Uttar Pradesh that the film featuring two boys (‘do ladke’), which had flopped last time, the film of two boys has been re-released by these people.” “I do not understand how many times will these INDIA alliance members put the wooden pot (on fire)?” he added.
Targeting the Opposition parties which have come together against the PM, he said, “Some parties are struggling, floundering to attain power. I say - ‘Bhrastachar Hatao, they say - Bhrashtachari Bachao’. But Modi is not one to retreat. Swift action against corruption will continue, and this is Modi’s Guarantee.” He added, “My 24/7 is for 2047; your dream is Modi’s resolve.” Also, Modi appealed to the people of Saharanpur and Kairana to cast their votes in favor of the BJP on a large scale.
Modi reached out to the Muslim community, which has a sizeable population in the Lok Sabha constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh, saying real secularism is when all get the benefit of government welfare schemes irrespective of their caste and religion as has been seen during the BJP rule. “The BJP Government has ended the evil practice of (instant) triple talaq. We enacted a strong law in the interest of crores of Muslim sisters” and protected their families, he said.
Some are saying Muslim women have benefitted but “they do not have a complete understanding. It is not that only Muslim women have benefitted” but also their parents and brothers who were always worried as to what would they do if their daughter or sister had to go through triple talaq, Modi said. “By ending this practice of triple talaq, we have saved the entire Muslim family and liberated it from the fear of the sword hanging over them. For centuries to come, Muslim daughters will continue to bless Modi,” the prime minister said.
The Lok Sabha constituencies in western UP with a sizeable Muslim population are Rampur (42 per cent), Amroha (32 per cent), Saharanpur (30 per cent), Bijnor, Nagina and Moradabad (28 per cent each), Muzaffarnagar (27 per cent), Kairana and Meerut (23 per cent each) and Sambhal (22 per cent). Apart from this, the Muslim voters constitute 19 per cent of the electoral population in Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Aligarh.
Speaking on the occasion, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said “A new debate has started in the country. Every vote of the public can prove to be helpful in changing the destiny and picture of the country. The foundation of this is the continuous change that has occurred in the country since 2014”. “We should vote not based on caste, religion, appeasement or any other agenda, but for the vision of a developed India and a bright future for the next generation,” he added addressing a public meeting here for BJP candidates Raghav Lakhanpal (Saharanpur) and Pradeep Chaudhary
