New Delhi: In an apparent attempt to counter the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress over their promise of free electricity in poll-bound Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Thursday that it was time to generate income from electricity rather than receiving it for free.
Tending to a political decision rally in Modasa town of Aravalli area in north Gujarat, Modi said just he knows the art through which individuals will actually want to bring in cash from power.
The Prime Minister also slammed the Congress, claiming that it only cares about how to be in power and adheres to the dictum "divide and rule."
Delhi Chief Minister and national convener AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, has been attempting to entice voters by promising that, similar to Punjab and the national capital, his party would provide free electricity for up to 300 units per month if elected in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state of Gujarat.
Kejriwal has asserted numerous times that he is the only politician in the nation to have "mastered this magic of providing free electricity."
The opposition Congress has also jumped on the bandwagon, stating in its election manifesto that if elected, it will also provide free electricity for up to 300 units in Gujarat, where Assembly elections are scheduled for December 1 and 5.
Modi stated on Thursday that he wants people in Gujarat to earn money from excess electricity generated by solar rooftop systems rather than simply receiving it for free.
"You must have seen how the entire Modhera village (in Mehsana district) is now running on rooftop solar power. They are using electricity as per their need and sell excess power (to the government). I want to replicate this system across Gujarat," he said.
"Under this system, you can earn money by selling excess electricity generated from solar panels. Only Modi knows this art wherein people will be able to earn from electricity," said the PM.
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He told the audience that the installation of rooftop solar power has made electricity more affordable, so a woman from Modhera is now planning to buy a refrigerator and an air conditioner.
"She told me that though her family was able to afford the appliances earlier, they refrained because they could not bear the running cost. Now, they can afford it because electricity is free. I am working to bring this revolution at the doorstep of each and every household in Gujarat," the PM said.
He reminded the people of Aravalli that during the Congress administration, farmers in this district were killed by police fire because they wanted affordable electricity for their farms.
The Prime Minister stated that farmers are now producing their own electricity through the installation of solar panels in inaccessible areas of their farms.
"They can also sell excess electricity and earn money. The era of demanding affordable electricity has gone. Today, you can generate income by selling electricity," he said.
Modi also attacked the Congress at the time, claiming that the opposition party only cares about how to get power and only believes in the "divide and rule" strategy.
"Rajasthan is near your border, have you seen any development in that state? Have you seen any good news coming out of that state? The Congress cannot do development," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)