PM Modi In Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack at the Congress and cornered the grand old party on the issues of Ayodhya Ram Mandir and reservation. Speaking at an election rally in Maharashtra's Nandurbar, the prime Minister said that the Congress is engaged in the conspiracy to eliminate Hindu faith.
The Prime Minister took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the remarks of party's former overseas unit chief and said, "Guru of Shehzada has told US that Ram temple construction is against the idea of India," as quoted by news agency PTI.
The Prime Minister also took a jibe at the Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena faction. Calling the Uddhav camp "duplicate Shiv Sena," PM Modi said, "Those from duplicate Shiv Sena are speaking of burying me alive," as quoted by PTI.
On the issue of Ram Temple, PM Modi said that the Congress is calling Ram Temple anti-social in the country of Ram. "See the mindset of Congress. In the country of Ram, they are calling the Ram temple, anti-national. Those people who organise 'sarkari iftari', beautify the graves of terrorists for appeasement are calling our lord Ram, his temple and us, who go to Ram temple, as anti-national," he said.
Vanchit Ka Jo Adhikaar Hai, Modi Uska Chowkidar Hai: PM In Maharashtra
While addressing the rally in Maharashtra's Nandurbar, PM Modi said, "I want to say it with utmost responsibility, be it SC, ST or OBC, 'vanchit ka jo adhikaar hai, Modi uska chowkidar hai. Jab Modi jaisa chowkidaar ho, kisne apni maa ka doodh piya hai jo aapka hak chheen sakta hai'."
Have Asked Congress To Give In Writing They Won't Cut SC, ST And OBC Reservation Into Pieces: PM Modi
Speaking at the rally, the Prime Minister cornered the Congrss party on the issue of reservation saying that he has asked the grand old party to give in writing that they will not cut the reservation of SC.ST and OBC into pieces. He further stated that Congress's silence shows they have a hidden agenda.
"'Ye maha aghadi, aarakshan ke maha bakshan ka maha abhiyaan chala rahi hai', whereas to protect the reservation of SC, ST and OBC, Modi 'aarakshan ke maha raksan ka maha yagya kar raha hai'. I have been challenging Congress for the last 17 days, I had asked them to give it in writing that they won't cut the reservation of SC, ST and OBC into pieces and give one piece to Muslims, but they aren't replying. Congress's silence on my challenge shows they have a hidden agenda," PM Modi said.
Helping Tribals Is Like Serving Member Of My Family: PM Modi
The Prime Minister said that he has not come out of a royal family like the family of the Congress and that he has grown up facing poverty. Speaking at an election rally in Maharashtra's Nandurbar ahead of the fourth phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi said that for him, serving and helping the tribal community is like serving a member of his own family.
"There is no distance between Nandurbar and Gujarat. I used to come here earlier, too. Coming to Nandurbar and not having Chaudhary's tea is not possible. Chaudhary's strong tea is connected with the memories of Nandurbar. Modi can never forget the bond of tea and the debt of your love. For me, serving the tribals is just like serving a member of my family. I have not come from a big family like the royal family of Congress. I have grown up in poverty, and I know how much pain you people have gone through."
Attacking the Congress, PM Modi said that the grand old party has opened a "factory of lies" because they know that they can't compete with Modi on development.
"Congress knows that they can't compete with Modi on development and hence they have opened a 'factory' of lies in this election... Regarding reservation, Congress' condition is like 'chor machaye shor'. Religion-based reservation is against the principle of Babasaheb Ambedkar. It's like stabbing at the back of those who framed the Constitution, it's a sin that can't be measured," PM Modi said.
PM Modi In Maharashtra
The Prime Minister was campaigning in support of BJP candidate and Member of Parliament Heena Gavit. The saffron party candidate is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Nandurbar constituecy in the Marathawad region for the third time. Gavit has been fielded against Gowaal Padavi, who is the son of former state minister KC Padavi.
Thereafter, PM Modi will also address a public meeting in Telangana's Mahabubnagar at 3:15 PM, followed by another public meeting in Hyderabad at 5:30 PM. Subsequently, the PM will then head to Odisha where he will conduct a roadshow in Bhubaneswar at 8:30 PM.
Nandurbar is one of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra. It comprises six Assembly segments including Akkalkuwa, Nandurbar, Sakri, Shahada, Nawapur, and Shirpur. Nandurbar constituency is an ST seat, and the main parties here are the BJP and Congress.
In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Gavit defeated grand old party's candidate and former state minister KC Padavi. BJP's Gavit won the seat with a margin of around 95,629 votes, defeating KC Padavi from Congress who received 5,43,507 votes. The BJP candidate bagged 6,39,136 votes with a vote share of 50.0 percent.
In the fourth phase, which is scheduled to be held on May 13, polling will be conducted in 11 Lok Sabha constituencies of Maharashtra including Nandurbhar, Jalgaon, Raver, Jalna, Aurangabad, Maval, Pune, Shirur, Ahmednagar, Shirdi, and Beed. The results will be declared on June 4.
Polling in 17 Lok Sabha constituencies will also be held on May 13 in the fourth phase. These include Adilabad (ST), Peddapalli (SC), Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Zahirabad, Medak, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chevella, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, Nagarkurnool (SC), Bhuvanagiri, Warangal (SC), Mahbubabad (ST), and Khammam.