As Lok Sabha elections are approaching near, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a potshot at Congress for insulting "Lord Ram" by rejecting the invitation for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. In UP's Pilibhit, PM Modi stated: "Congress tried its best to prevent the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, but when the people of the country built such a grand temple by contributing every penny and when the people of the temple forgave all your sins and invited you for the Praan Pratishtha. But you (Congress) insulted Lord Ram by rejecting the invitation and expelled those leaders who went for Pran Pratishtha for 6 years from the party."
He asserted that BJP government has been working towards its resolution to make India a "developed nation."
Speaking at the public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit, PM Modi stated: "We are working towards our resolution to make India a developed nation. Amid all the difficulties before us, India is showing that nothing is impossible for it." While tapping on "Indian pride" of electorates, PM Modi stated: "When Chandrayaan hoisted the national flag on the Moon, didn't you feel proud?"
Taking a hit at opposition, PM Modi stated: "Yogi's government has given more money to sugarcane farmers here than what sugarcane farmers had received in 14 years of SP, BSP and Congress."
"The farmers in Uttar Pradesh have received around Rs 70,000 crore in their bank accounts under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi," he stated.
"The Congress government used to seek help from the world but during the COVID-19 pandemic, India sent medicines, and vaccines to the world. This was all possible because of your one vote (to BJP)," he added.
PM Modi stated that the BJP government has been working tirelessly to address the issues faced by sugarcane farmers. He mentioned that numerous sugar mills have been established and expanded, and this effort is ongoing.
Hailing "nari-shakti", PM Modi said: “New Year is being celebrated in several parts of the country today. Chaitra Navratri has also begun from today. When everyone is submerged in devotion and is worshipping ‘shakti’, witnessing such a big rally is a wonder in itself. I was wondering how people will come here today but you all have come to give your blessings to us. The message is clear. Only one thing can be heard - 'Fir Ek Baar, Modi Sarkaar'.”
Battle For Pilibhit's Lok Sabha Seat
As a Lok Sabha constituency, Pilibhit will be going to polls without a candidate from the other Gandhi family—neither Maneka Gandhi nor her son Varun Gandhi—as a contestant for the first time in 35 years.
Uttar Pradesh minister Jitin Prasada, who switched from the Congress to the BJP in 2021, is now the party's candidate after Varun, the incumbent MP from Pilibhit, was denied a ticket.
Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party (SP), in alliance with the Congress for the 2024 elections, has nominated Bhagwat Sharan Gangwar for the seat. The BSP has announced Anis Ahmed Khan as its candidate from Pilibhit. The constituency is scheduled to go to polls in the first phase on April 19.