PM Modi In First Punjab Rally: Congress Removed Amarinder When It Couldn't Run Govt With 'Remote Control'
According to PM Modi, Congress removed Amarinder Singh as chief minister when it couldn't run the Punjab government by "remote control", adding that it is run by a family in Delhi.
Punjab Election 2022: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Congress removed Capt Amarinder Singh as chief minister when it couldn't run the government by "remote control".
The statement comes as the former Gujarat chief minister was addressing his first physical rally in Punjab to pitch for Bharatiya Janata Party's alliance ahead of the state election slated to be held on February 20.
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PM Narendra Modi began his address in Jalandhar, saying: "Coming to the land of gurus, pirs, fakirs, great revolutionaries, and generals is a great pleasure in itself. I bow to all the gurus and bow down reverently to Mata Tripurmalini, the goddess of Shaktipeeth Devi Talab from the land of Jalandhar."
"I wanted to offer prayers at Tripurmalini Devi Shaktipeeth after this event but the adminstration and police said they will not be able to make the arrangements. This is the situation of government here. But I will surely offer prayers at Shaktipeeth soon," he said, hitting out the ruling Congress government.
Talking about his connection to the state, PM Modi said: "Punjab fed me when I used to work here going village to village as an ordinary BJP worker. Punjab has given me so much that I feel like working harder than I do to pay off its debt".
Taking swipe at Congress, he said the ruling party removed Amarinder Singh as chief minister when it couldn't run the government by "remote control", adding that the state government is run by a family in Delhi.
"We respected federalism. Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh worked with the Centre according to federalism," PM Modi stated.
#WATCH | Congress removed former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh when it couldn't run govt with remote control: PM Modi during the first public rally in Punjab ahead of the Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/EA4KRx0Avo
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022
Further hitting out at the ruling party over its infighting, he said: "What is the position of Congress party today? it is disintegrating. People who are fighting among themselves cannot give a stable government to Punjab. These people who are trying to save their own chairs cannot develop the state".
According to Narendra Modi, NDA will surely form government in Punjab, and "'Nava Punjab' will be free from debts". "New chapter of development will begin in Punjab if BJP-led alliance comes to power," he said, pitching for the NDA.
PM Modi Targets Shiromani Akali Dal, Aam Aadmi Party
PM Modi also targeted BJP's former ally Shiromani Akali Dal, saying: "When we were with Akali Dal, we always accepted a small role by treating it as an elder brother. There was only one thing in our heart, to do whatever would be good for Punjab".
"There was a time when Akali Dal did not have an absolute majority, they could not have formed government without BJP's support. In that situation, the deputy chief minister should have been from BJP. But at that time, an injustice was done to us and Badal Sahab made his son the deputy CM," he recalled.
The Prime Minister further stated: "We had more MLAs, we could have stepped back. But still for the betterment of Punjab, we did not commit that sin because we have only Punjab's bright future in our hearts".
In an apparent dig at the Aam Aadmi Party, PM Modi remarked: "Some people who are experts at getting liquor shops opened in every street have come to Punjab as well, they want to hand over Punjab to drug mafias".
Security Drills Ahead Of PM Modi's Rally
Earlier in the day, the police personnel carried out intense drills in Jalandhar ahead of PM Narendra Modi's public meeting to ensure that there is no repeat of the security breach.
On January 5, Prime Minister's Ferozepur rally had to be cancelled as his convoy was stuck on a flyover with protestors blocking the road. His convoy was stuck for 15-20 minutes.
The BJP is actively raising the issue of the security breach in ongoing electioneering.
BJP is fighting the Punjab election an alliance with former CM Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).
Election for the 117-member assembly in Punjab will be held on February 20. The counting of votes and result announcement will take place on March 10.
(With Agency Inputs)
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