Maharashtra Elections: PM Modi Urges Unity In The State; Warns Against Congress' 'Divisive Agenda'
As the Maharashtra assembly election approaches in November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified his attack on the Congress, urging people to unite against the party's "divisive agenda." During a rally near Washim in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, PM Modi accused the Congress of being controlled by "urban Naxals" and claimed the party is working to divide the country by pitting communities against each other.
PM Modi's speech reflected a recurring theme in his political rhetoric, as he urged the public to be cautious of the Congress. "They think that if we unite, their agenda to divide the country will fail. Everyone can see how closely Congress stands with those who do not have good intentions for India," PM Modi stated.
He further alleged that the Congress has neglected key sections of society, particularly Dalits, tribals, the poor, and backward classes, keeping them away from the mainstream. "The Congress wants to keep Dalits as Dalits, and the poor as poor. Urban Naxals are running the Congress. They want to divide us, so we must stand together and foil their plot," PM Modi said.
In addition to his critique of Congress, Modi linked the party to a significant drug bust in Delhi earlier this week. "Drugs worth thousands of crores have been seized. The main accused in this drug racket is a Congress leader. The Congress wants to push the youth towards drugs and use that money to contest and win elections," he alleged.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that Tushar Goyal, the accused kingpin in the drug case, was once the chairperson of the Delhi Youth Congress's Right to Information cell. However, the Congress' youth wing refuted these allegations, noting that Goyal was expelled from the party in 2022 for anti-party activities.
During his visit to Washim, PM Modi also paid respects at the Pohradevi shrine, a site revered by the Banjara community, which holds significant influence in Vidarbha. The BJP-led Mahayuti government had secured a lead in only 20 out of 62 assembly constituencies in this region during the previous Lok Sabha elections. PM Modi used this opportunity to emphasise the Congress' alleged disdain for the Banjara community, likening their treatment to the British colonial attitude.
"From the beginning, the Congress' thinking has been foreign. Like the British, they feel that only one family should rule India. This is why they have shown a derogatory attitude towards the Banjara community," he said. PM Modi praised the Banjara community's contributions to India's cultural, defence, and trade sectors, asserting that the Congress had alienated them from mainstream society.
In addition to his political statements, Modi launched several initiatives in the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors, valued at around Rs 23,300 crore. He also released the 18th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, which provides up to Rs 6,000 per year of financial support to farmers.
Modi's visit to Washim included a stop at the Jagdamba Devi Temple at Poharadevi and the samadhi of Sant Seva Lal Ji Maharaj, a revered socio-religious reformer of the Banjara community. The prime minister also inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Washim, celebrating the rich heritage of the community.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, accompanied the prime minister at the event, underscoring the political importance of Vidarbha in the upcoming elections.
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