Accusing the Congress of prioritising political survival over the long-term welfare of the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the party could not think beyond nepotism, corruption and appeasement.
Mr. Modi was virtually addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Chhattisgarh’ programme during which he laid the foundation stones of 10 development projects worth over ₹34,400 crore in the State.
“Chhattisgarh has hard-working farmers, talented youth and a treasure trove of nature. Whatever is needed for development, Chhattisgarh had it earlier and is there even today. But those who ruled the country for a long time after Independence did not have a grand vision,” he said, launching a blistering attack on the principal Opposition party.
“They kept taking decisions keeping in mind his political interests only for the next five years. Congress formed governments again and again, but forgot to build the India of the future, because in their mind, forming the government was the only task. Taking the country forward was not in their agenda. Even today, the condition and direction of Congress politics is the same. Congress is unable to think beyond nepotism, corruption and appeasement,” he added.
Modi’s family
The PM further said that those who were only busy making the future of their sons and daughters would never think about “your [the people’s] sons and daughters”. “But for Modi, you all are Modi’s family,” he quipped.
Referring to the famous speech of former PM Rajiv Gandhi that only 15 paise out of a rupee meant for the welfare of the people actually reached the beneficiaries, Mr. Modi asserted that bringing an end to corruption created development opportunities.
“In the last 10 years, the BJP-led Centre has transferred more than ₹34 lakh crore to the bank accounts of the people of the country through direct benefit transfer. Had the Congress been at the power and 15 paise tradition continued, ₹29 lakh crore out of ₹34 lakh crore would have been embezzled by the middlemen,” he said.
Reflecting further on his decade in power, Mr. Modi mentioned the initiatives taken to deliver free ration, free medical treatment, cheap medicines, houses for the poor, tap water, gas connection and toilet in every household.
‘Becoming energy producers’
He further highlighted the ‘PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity’ scheme, which he said aimed to eliminate electricity bills for one crore households and empower citizens through financial aid for rooftop solar panels. The scheme would transform annadatas (farmers) into urjadatas (energy producers), he said.
In his address, Mr. Modi commended the recent initiatives undertaken by the Chhattisgarh government since assuming power last November. The previous Congress regime in Chhattisgarh had stalled the construction of houses for the poor but the new BJP government has expedited it, he added.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, his ministerial colleagues and BJP leaders were present at the main event at Indoor Stadium, Budha Talab in Raipur.
