PM Modi addressed a public rally in Odisha’s Jeypore today, kickstarting his Odisha campaign. He is to address a rally in Kalahandi next on April 1.
Addressing the first of his three election rallies on Friday in Koraput, Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his electrifying address by asking the public to repeat slogans of ‘Main bhi chowkidaar’ after him.
Reiterating that it is the undisputed support of the citizens which has allowed him to serve the nation for the last 5 years he said that had it not been for the support and prayers of the people, BJP would not be able to achieve any development work in the country which it has in the last 5 years.
Modi thanked the Adivasi (tribal) community for welcoming him in their land. He slammed the state’s ruling BJD government of doing little for poor tribals of the state.
PM stated that recently his government had brought PM-KISAN scheme under which 12 crore farmers have received direct financial support in their bank accounts, not a single farmer of Odisha could receive the benefit because the state government has hindered it.
पीएम किसान सम्मान निधि के तहत देश के जिन 12 करोड़ किसानों को हम सीधी मदद बैंक खाते में दे रहे हैं उनमें से एक भी ओडिशा का किसान नहीं है, क्योंकि यहां की सरकार किसानों के सामने दीवार बनकर खड़ी हो गई है: श्री @narendramodi #ModiSpeaksToBharat #Modi4NewOdisha
— BJP Odisha (@BJP4Odisha) March 29, 2019
Cornering the BJD government over agricultural issues, over non-acceptance of Ayushman Yojana thus depriving the poor of their right for quality healthcare, Modi stormed at the BJD bastion saying that out of Rs 6,500 crore accumulated under District Mineral Fund, Odisha government has only spent Rs 1,000 crore for the poor tribals.
“The NDA government has been working hard to develop road and rail infrastructure in the state. There is no dearth of funds when it comes to development work in the country.
“In the last five years, my government has been able to build homes for eight lakh families, light up 24 lakh households in 3,000 houses and provide gas connections to 40 lakh homes,” Modi stated.
PM Modi went on to slam the Congress and other Opposition parties for asking for proof of Balakot air strike and raising questions over the announcement of the success of Mission Shakti.
“It’s about time to give an apt answer to people who are insulting the capabilities of our scientists and the armed forces. Odisha and India need a majboot (strong) govt, not a majboor (helpless) one,” PM Modi said.
Having set the tone for the Lok Sabha elections in his previous rallies, it is clear that Modi has made national security the BJP’s pitch for the general elections this time. While addressing the people of Odisha Modi made several references to the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force at terror camps inside Pakistan.
While lauding his government’s determination and resolve on national security, the PM made scathing attacks at the opposition parties who questioned the air strikes and even dubbed them “heroes of Pakistan”.
PM Modi added that it’s been over a month since Pakistan has been counting dead bodies, but sadly the opposition which is still unconvinced are demanding evidence of the airstrike.
Referring to Mission Shakti, when India demonstrated anti-satellite (ASAT) missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, he said the government has taken measures to set up a ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) in space. He also highlighted Odisha’s contribution to the programme as the tests were carried out in Chandipur.
Making a blistering attack on the Congress, Modi reiterated that the opposition is trying to belittle the efforts of scientists and the armed forces. “They will be taught a lesson”, he added.
“Those that are criticising the anti-satellite technology will be given a befitting reply in the elections,” he claimed, urging people to vote for a government that can take concrete decisions, not the one that only raises hollow slogans.
Speaking at length about the BJP’s vision of a ‘New India,’ Prime Minister Modi said, “With our vision of building a ‘New India’ in the coming years, a BJP government at the state level in Odisha will ensure that we build a ‘New Odisha’ as well.
“A strong Odisha will provide strength to East India which will further promote a strong India. Only a BJP government at the state and Centre level can promote equitable progress for everybody, the poor, the youth, the farmers, the tribals of Odisha, the soldiers and the women, with a double-engine of growth striving to improve the lives of people,” Modi said.
Concluding his wide-ranging address to his impassioned supporters, PM Modi reminded the citizens about the rampant corruption and ill-governance that became endemic in the country after years of rule by parties like Congress and greatly hindered India’s progress.
He ended by saying that the time was ripe for the state to elect a strong, stable and decisive government that rises above petty politics to improve the lives of its people.
PM Modi is scheduled to address another two rallies in Mahbubnagar, Telangana and then later in Chandrababu’s turf in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool in the next couple of days.
