Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress at a rally in Maharashtra’s Wardha, urging voters not to allow the party or its allies to regain power in the state, especially in the Vidarbha region.
Speaking at an event marking the first anniversary of PM Vishwakarma Yojana on Friday, the prime minister accused the Congress of deliberately hindering the progress of marginalized communities, farmers and artisans, especially from the SC, ST and OBC communities. “Congress today is led by ‘Tukde Tukde Gang’ and ‘Urban Naxals’,” PM Modi said, drawing attention to the ideological shift in the party.
Focusing on the farming community of Vidarbha, the prime minister said: “Vidarbha produces some of the best cotton in India, but the Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi are misusing the region for political gains, making the farmers suffer. Instead of empowering them, they are playing politics with their eyes livelihood.
He credited the 2014 Devendra Fadnavis-led government for initiating development in the region by setting up the Amravati Textile Park. According to him, the ‘Farm to Fabric, Fabric to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign’ policy of his government has stopped the loss of farmers and created opportunities for export and employment.
PM Modi further asserted that the upcoming PM Mitra Park in Amravati will attract an investment of between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 crore, with the potential to create more than one lakh jobs. “This is the real industrial revolution which the Congress has failed to do for decades,” he said, stressing the country’s readiness for rapid industrialization under the leadership of the BJP.
The prime minister urged voters to be wary of Congress’ false promises, using the example of Telangana where the party failed to honor its loan guarantees to farmers. In contrast, he said: “Today, Maharashtra farmers receive Rs 12,000 per year and crop insurance is only Re 1. Projects like the Rs 85,000 crore Wainganga-Nalganga river link project will provide irrigation to more than 10 hectares in Vidarbha.
Accusing the Congress of disrespecting Indian culture and traditions, Modi cited incidents where the party allegedly opposed Ganesh worship. “Congress is against our culture. They are even against Ganesh Puja. In Karnataka, they lock Ganesh idols in police vans, even as Maharashtra celebrates Bappa,” he said.
In his speech, Modi said that the Congress has been keeping marginalized communities from progressing for decades. He highlighted the government’s initiative to revive traditional skills and crafts among the SC, ST, and OBC population. “The British abandoned the community, and after Independence, the Congress continued to ignore it. Only after we came to power, we began to revive this rich heritage. Through the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, we have given them the tools and support to integrate them into the mainstream economy,” he said.
Modi shared statistics showing the progress of the scheme. More than 20 lakh people in 700 districts have benefited, including 60,000 people from Maharashtra alone. More than 6.5 lakh artisans have received modern equipment, with more than Rs 1,400 crores disbursed in loans.
Maharashtra leaders, including chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, stood by PM Modi at the event. Shinde took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, criticizing his stance on reservations and accusing him of speaking Pakistani language. Fadnavis assured that the BJP government is committed to the upliftment of the micro-OBC community and will provide them with the necessary resources to help them progress economically.
The rally ended with a strong appeal to the voters, asking them not to allow the Congress to return to Vidarbha or Maharashtra. “We must unite to protect the identity of Maharashtra and fulfill the dream of progress,” the prime minister said, marking the start of the BJP’s campaign for the upcoming assembly elections.
A recent survey showed that the Congress won important seats in the once-strong Vidarbha region. BJP, in 2014 and 2019, has destroyed Congress by winning many seats. But this time, after the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress emerged as the “unexpected winner”. Hence, this time, the BJP continues to attack the Congress.
RELIEF for farmers
In a major relief to farmers, Fadnavis assured that cotton and soybeans will be procured at higher prices than the minimum support price (MSP) this season.
Addressing the meeting, Fadnavis said that the government has taken important steps for the welfare of farmers. He has asked the prime minister to raise import duty on crude oil to benefit soybean and cotton prices in the domestic market. He noted that the prime minister responded quickly, and as a result, soybean prices have started to rise. He assured that this season, the government will ensure the purchase of the plant at a rate more than the MSP.
