New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and development while delivering a series of fiery speeches across Delhi and Haryana and launching a vigorous attack on the Opposition over its “democracy in danger” claim if the BJP-led NDA retains power.
He said that though four generations of Congress ruled in Delhi, the Opposition party now is “not capable of fighting for even four seats here.” He urged voters to reject the "INDI alliance," alleging that their manifesto is influenced by the Muslim League.
Modi, who spoke at his first rally in Delhi’s Northeast, had earlier addressed two rallies in Haryana’s Ambala and Sonipat. In these speeches, he accused the Opposition of wanting power at any cost, even if it means sacrificing the country's security, stability, and respect. He also praised the bravery of soldiers, noting that Haryana has one of the largest numbers of people in the armed forces.
“I consider it a blessing from God to be chosen to accelerate our country's development. Sixty years ago when I left my home, I was unaware that I would one day hoist the tricolour at the Red Fort. My family was left behind, but today, 140 crore Indians are my family. I am not living for myself but for your bright future and your children's. You are my heirs, and I work tirelessly day and night just for you,” said the PM, recalling how Delhi has witnessed a remarkable transformation. He claimed that in their “relentless pursuit of votebanks, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc neglects development and schemes.”
“The I.N.D.I.A. bloc held Delhi captive over the CAA, inciting riots, but their falsehoods stand exposed. Refugees, including Dalit families, now receive Indian citizenship. Their communal reservation agenda defies Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s principles,” said the PM.
Representatives from 13 diplomatic missions in India attended the PM’s Northeast rally as part of BJP’s ‘Know BJP’ initiative, including delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Japan, Mauritius, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
In subsequent rallies in Haryana's Sonipat and Ambala, Modi reiterated his criticism of the Opposition, particularly their alleged attempts to destabilise the country and reverse his government's policies. He declared that the Opposition's dream of reinstating Article 370 in Kashmir would never be realized, asserting that his government had buried it in the "kabristan (graveyard)".
Attacking the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, he said they have a formula of having five prime ministers in five years if they come to power. "In the 2024 'kurukshetra', there is development on one hand and 'vote jihad' on the other," he said. "I want to ask the people of Haryana... Who will win?" He waited for people to respond before saying, "Your reply has decided 'Phir Ek Baar'," and the crowd responded with, "Modi Sarkar."
Modi said now the Congress is not even hiding its "desh-virodhi agenda (anti-national agenda)." They are openly saying they will reverse everything Modi has done in the last 10 years if they come to power. But their "dream" of bringing Article 370 back will never be fulfilled, he added.
On the Opposition naming their grouping I.N.D.I.A., he said, "The reality does not change by changing names. This INDI Alliance is a gang of the corrupt (jamaat of ghotalebaaz)."
"They want power at any cost. And what is that cost? It is the country's security, stability, and respect. And five prime ministers in five years. This is their formula to run the government," he said.
"Will the country benefit if there is a new PM each year? What will they do? Will you allow the country to go back to that period of instability?"
Referring to Haryana contributing a sizable number of soldiers to the armed forces, Modi said when the Congress was in power, mothers in the state were worried about their children's safety.
"Have such things stopped now or not?" he asked the audience, which responded with an emphatic "yes."
Patriotism runs in the veins of Haryana, he said, adding that the "state understands anti-national forces. Therefore, each house in Haryana is saying - phir ek baar" and the crowd responded, saying "Modi sarkar."
"When there is a dhakad government in the country, the enemy thinks 100 times before doing anything," the prime minister said.
He said Pakistan, which earlier had bombs in its hands, is now holding a "begging bowl."
Referring to the AAP-Congress poll alliance in certain states, he said Congress leaders are holding the "jhadoo" (broomstick, the Aam Aadmi Party's poll symbol) in Delhi and Haryana, but claiming that "jhadoowala chor hai" in Punjab, where the two parties are contesting the election against each other.
The Prime Minister reiterated his claim that the Congress will redistribute the reservation meant for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) on the basis of religion, and alleged that the opposition party wants to snatch the quota for Dalits in jobs and education.
The Congress never cared about the small needs of the country's soldiers, including their clothes, shoes, and bullet-proof jackets, he said. He accused the Congress of betraying the ex-servicemen and keeping the "One Rank, One Pension" issue lingering for four decades.
