DHULE, Nov 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday criticized the Congress-led INDIA bloc, accusing them of attempting to undermine the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated that no power in the world could restore Article 370 in the region.
Speaking at his first rally in Maharashtra for the upcoming assembly elections on November 20, Modi condemned the INDIA alliance for using blank books to provoke Dalits and Adivasis. He warned the public to remain united, stating, “Ek hai, toh safe hai” (We will be safe if we are united).
The Prime Minister further accused Congress and its allies of supporting the “Pakistan agenda” and aligning with separatists. He emphasized that such efforts would fail as long as he had the people’s support. “Only Ambedkar’s Constitution will be followed in Jammu and Kashmir,” he stated, recalling how BJP MLAs had been thrown out of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly when they protested a resolution attempting to revive Article 370.
Modi also took aim at Congress for trying to divide the nation’s caste and community structures, asserting that unity among SC, ST, and OBCs would end Congress’s divisive politics. He recalled how the Congress, since Jawaharlal Nehru’s time, opposed reservation policies and how the fourth generation of the Gandhi family is now continuing efforts to divide castes. He urged people to stay united, warning that Congress’s divisive tactics are a threat to national unity.
The PM then criticized the Congress for its role in the partition of India and its current strategy of caste-based politics, calling it one of the biggest conspiracies against the nation. He also mocked the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP, as a “vehicle without wheels or brakes” caught in a leadership struggle.
Modi recalled his connection with Maharashtra and Dhule, highlighting the BJP’s success in 2014 when he sought the public’s support to end 15 years of Congress misrule. “Today, with your blessings, I am starting my campaign in Maharashtra from Dhule, and I assure you that the state’s development will continue to progress,” he said.
The Prime Minister lauded the achievements of the Mahayuti government in the past two-and-a-half years and promised continued development in Maharashtra, stating that only Mahayuti can provide good governance. He called out MVA for obstructing development projects and for failing to work for the people’s welfare. “MVA was formed through deceit and failed to deliver,” he said.
Modi stressed that the Mahayuti’s manifesto is a comprehensive roadmap for Maharashtra’s progress, focusing on economic growth, social equality, and security. He particularly highlighted the empowerment of women, citing the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme as a model of progress, which the Congress ecosystem is actively opposing. He warned that if the MVA comes to power, they will scrap the scheme.
On the issue of Marathi being granted classical language status, Modi pointed out that while Congress ruled both at the Centre and in Maharashtra, they never considered it necessary, and now they are protesting against it.
The PM also emphasized Maharashtra’s success in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), with over 50% of the country’s FDI coming to the state this year. He assured that infrastructure projects, including the Vadhavan port and a proposed third airport near the port, would see significant progress once Mahayuti is in power.
