As the third phase of the seven-phase 18th Lok Sabha elections commenced on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the INDIA bloc, claiming that Opposition parties were contesting elections to save their ‘dynasty’ and that their alliance was not ‘bothered’ about the welfare of the people.
Addressing a rally in Khargone, Modi claimed that the BJP government has given Madhya Pradesh a new and prestigious identity by rectifying the shortcomings left behind by the Congress.
“They are contesting elections to save their inheritance and hand over their party to their children. They don’t care about your happiness. INDI alliance is not bothered about the fate of the masses. There is a saying about INDI people but I think they will make fake videos of mine; they will run it halfway through it and Modi will get tired of giving clarifications. There is a saying that applies to INDI people: ‘Apna kaam banta, bhaar me jaye janta’ (do your work and let the people go to hell),” he said.
Modi further expressed gratitude for the overwhelming blessings he received during his visit, stating that he sought them to realise the vision of a developed India. He acknowledged the significance of the Narmada river and its inhabitants in fulfilling the aspirations.
He said that the votes of the people helped 250 million Indians escape poverty, and he believes the country is progressing because of everyone’s collective effort.
“One vote of yours made India the 5th largest economy, increased India’s global influence, abrogated Article 370 after 70 years, made an Adivasi daughter the President, gave reservation to women, sent the corrupt to jail, gave the guarantee of free ration and treatment, elevated the future of the youth, created unlimited opportunities, and got 25 crore people out of poverty. One vote of yours ended the 500-year-long wait and made the grand Ram Lalla temple,” he added.
Modi stressed that India is at a crucial moment in history and urged people to choose between ‘vote jihad’ or the establishment of ‘Ram Rajya’. The distinction came amid the Prime Minister’s continuing attack against the Congress and other Opposition parties over their alleged intent to appease their Muslim vote bank.
Specifically targetting the Congress over its social justice plank, the PM claimed that the party planned to dismantle the existing system of reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and distribute it among Muslims.
Earlier in the day, Modi cast his vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, during the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Voting is underway for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories.
These states and union territories include Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10), and West Bengal (4). The BJP has won the Surat seat uncontested.
The Khargone Lok Sabha constituency will vote on May 13 in the fourth phase of polling, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.