Dalit, ST quota will stay, asserts Modi

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the 2024 Lok Sabha election is a contest between the NDA and the ‘corrupt’ I.N.D.I.A. bloc. He urged voters in Haryana and Punjab on Thursday, to decide on India’s future, comparing his government’s achievements with the Opposition’s shortcomings.

At a rally in Mahendragarh, Haryana, Modi criticised the Opposition alliance, calling it inherently unstable and mocked their purported plan of "five Prime Ministers in five years." He claimed the alliance lacked cohesion and stability.

"Reservation for SC-ST-OBCs is their ‘Adhikar’ (right) and Modi is the 'Chowkidar' of this 'Adhikar',” the Prime Minister said. “Till Modi is alive, no one can snatch reservation for Dalits, tribals,” Modi said.

Emphasising the significance of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Modi said, "The 2024 elections will determine the future of India."

"The I.N.D.I alliance only spreads the politics of communalism, casteism, and dynasty," he said, accusing Congress of developing an anti-Shri Ram stance and opposing the Pran-Pratishtha of Shri Ram to lock up the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

In Punjab's Patiala, Modi attacked the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, calling Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann a 'kagzi Chief Minister' (paper CM).

"After the five phases of voting, the message of the people of India resonates with 'Fir ek Baar, Modi Sarkar'," Modi said. He urged Punjab to vote en masse for the BJP to ensure a "Viksit Bharat" (developed India).

He highlighted NDA's successes, including eliminating terrorism, reducing poverty, and pushing for India's development, while accusing the Opposition of fostering corruption and poverty.

Modi pointed to the NDA's commitment to national security and development, citing initiatives like manufacturing fighter jets in India. He contrasted this with the Opposition's alleged intention to dismantle India's nuclear arsenal. He accused Congress and AAP of corruption and harming Punjab's industrial prospects

"Rampant corruption and dampened industrial prospects have destroyed the state of Punjab. Today, resource mafia, drug mafia, and shooter gangs rule the roost in Punjab," he said

The Prime Minister also mentioned the BJP's efforts to commemorate Sikh heritage and bring Sikh refugees from Afghanistan to safety. He criticised the Opposition for their stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), accusing them of opposing the act for vote-bank politics.

Alleging that the Congress betrayed Haryana's farmers, Modi highlighted his government's initiatives for the state, including prioritising irrigation potential and providing MSP for various products. He also noted the international promotion of Haryana's Bajra-made products during the G20 meeting.

Emphasising the importance of the upcoming elections, Modi said, "The 2024 elections will determine the future of India," and accused the I.N.D.I. alliance of perpetuating communalism, casteism, and dynasty politics. He asserted his role as the guardian of SC-ST-OBC rights against the Opposition's attempts to undermine these reservations.

He noted that even the Calcutta High Court overturned this blatant injustice done to members of the OBC community and reprimanded the TMC government for granting religion-based reservations to illegal immigrants belonging to minority communities at the cost of reservations meant for the OBCs.