Modi claims electricity reached every Indian village; Congress says PM taking ‘fake credit’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo: PTI/ File)

NEW DELHI: The BJP and the Congress on Sunday traded charges as Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that his government has achieved the target of electrification of all villages in the country. Modi said his government has achieved complete electrification of all the villages in the country and the last village to be brought on the national power grid was Leisang village in the Senapati district of Manipur. Taking to Twitter, Modi said April 28 would be remembered as a “historic day in the development journey of India”. "28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village in India now has access to electricity," Prime Minister tweeted.

28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village of India now has access to electricity.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2018

"Leisang village in Manipur, like the thousands of other villages across India has been powered and empowered! This news will make every Indian proud and delighted," he added.

I salute the efforts of all those who worked tirelessly on the ground, including the team of officials, the technical staff and all others, to make this dream of a #PowerfulIndia a reality. Their efforts today will help generations of Indians in the coming years. pic.twitter.com/t8WjZgpNuT

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2018

Modi also expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the project. "I salute the efforts of all those who worked tirelessly on the ground, including the team of officials, the technical staff and all others, to make this dream of a #PowerfulIndia a reality. Their efforts today will help generations of Indians in the coming years," Modi said. Reacting to Modi's claims, Congress communication in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said that it was Congress that electrified 97 per cent of villages in the country but “did not boast”. "India has 6,49,867 villages. Congress connected 97% with electricity. During UPA (2004-14), Congress electrified 1,07,600 villages. In 60 yrs, Congress average is electrifying 10,000 villages per year. Congress created #PowerfulIndia but didn’t boast," Surjewala said.

Dear Amit Shahji,

India has 6,49,867 villages. Congress connected 97% with electricity. During UPA (2004-14), Congress electrified 1,07,600 villages. In 60 yrs, Congress average is electrifying 10,000 villages per year. Congress created #PowerfulIndia but didn’t boast! 1/2 pic.twitter.com/pktrzcqqD2 — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 29, 2018

"On 26th May,2014; only 18,452 villages were without electrification. BJP Govt took 46 months to complete this at at an average of 4,813 villages per year. This is - ‘celebrating inefficiencies’ & taking ‘fake credit’ for Congress work," he added.

2/2 Dear Modiji/Piyushji,

On 26th May,2014; only 18,452 villages were without electrification. BJP Govt took 46 months to complete this at at an average of 4,813 villages per year. This is - ‘celebrating inefficiencies’ & taking ‘fake credit’ for Congress work. pic.twitter.com/U270EK2pee — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 29, 2018