Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Indian National Congress of abandoning challenging development projects, impacting the Northeast region adversely. Addressing a rally at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, Modi highlighted the importance of consistent development efforts, unveiling projects worth over Rs 5,100 crore.
During his speech, Modi stated, “One inherent habit of Congress is that they never take up development work which is difficult to do; they abandon it. This habit of Congress has caused significant harm to Arunachal Pradesh and the entire Northeast.” He pointed out that difficult terrain posed a challenge for past administrations, leading Congress to neglect certain areas.
Modi emphasized his frequent visits to the Northeast, claiming he had visited the region over 70 times to facilitate its development. “I know that the Northeast cannot be developed from Delhi alone. Hence, I have sent ministers and officers more frequently to this region,” he added.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the introduction of next-generation GST reforms, coinciding with the festive season of Navratri. He referred to the launch as a “double bonanza” for the people, saying, “Today, next-generation GST reforms have been implemented across the country, and the GST ‘Bachat Utsav’ has begun.” He argued that these reforms would reduce household expenses, particularly benefiting women.
Stating the previous Congress-led government’s record, Modi remarked that they consistently raised taxes during times of rising costs. “Congress imposed a heavy tax burden on the people, but our government has gradually reduced taxes, providing much-needed relief,” he asserted.
Modi further criticized past administrations for neglecting border villages, which he claims led to significant migration from those areas. He alleged that Congress overlooked Arunachal Pradesh due to its limited Lok Sabha representation. “When I was given the opportunity to serve the nation in 2014, I resolved to rid the country of the Congress mindset. Our guiding principle is not the number of votes or seats but ‘nation first’,” he stated.
He expressed commitment to inclusive development, stressing, “Our only mantra is ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (the citizen is God). Modi worships those whom no one has ever asked about; that is why Arunachal Pradesh, which was neglected during Congress rule, has since 2014 become a center of developmental priority.”
Modi reinforced the significance of the projects unveiled, citing them as evidence of the “double benefits” derived from the “double-engine” government model. “Arunachal Pradesh received Rs 1 lakh crore from the Centre in the last ten years, which is 16 times more than what it got during Congress rule,” he claimed, underlining his administration’s commitment to the state’s progress.
As he wrapped up his address, Modi called on the public to evaluate the development trajectory under his government and reminded them of the need for continuous support to further enhance progress in Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Northeast region. His remarks reflect a broader strategy to connect local development efforts with national priorities as India approaches forthcoming elections.
