Raipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress during his campaign for the year-end Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh. He accused the party of becoming synonymous with corruption and using Chhattisgarh as its "ATM". Modi criticised the Congress for obstructing the development of the state and claimed that corruption is ingrained in the party's ideology while starting the BJP campaign at the Science College ground here.
“The ‘panja’ of the Congress has stood like a wall in the path of Chhattisgarh’s development. The party has snatched away the people’s rights,” he said.
Modi specifically targeted the Bhupesh Baghel government, highlighting the pervasive corruption within the state administration. He pointed to the flourishing coal, sand, and mining mafias under the current Congress regime. “Chhattisgarh has become a model of misrule and corruption in the country,” he added.
The Prime Minister also criticised the Congress for failing to fulfil its promises, particularly in implementing prohibition and empowering gram sabhas to decide on liquor sales. He mentioned the ongoing liquor scam in the Chhattisgarh government, alleging that the proceeds were being funneled into the accounts of the Congress.
“People say that the term-sharing agreement (between chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and deputy chief minister T.S. Singh Deo) had broken due to the liquor scam money,” he said.
Modi declared that he would continue his crusade against corruption, despite the threats and conspiracies launched against him by the Opposition. He urged the people not to be misled by the false guarantees of the Congress, emphasising that his guarantee is to take action against corruption. He praised the BJP for delivering on its promises and focusing on the development of backward areas, resulting in improved lives for the underprivileged sections of society.
“These people will be after me. They threaten to dig my grave. They hatch a conspiracy against me. But, they do not know, ‘Jo dar gaya, woh Modi nahi ho sakta (one who gets scared cannot be Modi). I declare that my crusade against corruption will continue,” he added.
He said that the number of Naxal-affected districts have come down from 126 a decade ago to 70 now.
The Prime Minister also criticised Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for failing to implement the Prime Minister Awas Yojana, depriving numerous poor people in Chhattisgarh of houses. In a separate event, Modi laid the foundations for significant infrastructure projects worth ₹7,600 crore, including two economic corridor projects passing through Chhattisgarh.
