Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Congress stands for the "guarantee of corruption, casteism, communalism and nepotism", as he urged the people in Haryana to vote the ruling BJP to power for a third straight term.
In a message on X on the last day of campaigning in Haryana before the assembly polls on October 5, Modi blasted the Congress for its alleged divisive and negative politics which, he said, the patriotic people of the state will never accept.
"The Congress means a syndicate of fixers and son-in-law," he said in an apparent reference to controversial land deals involving Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra when the party was in power during 2004-14 with Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the chief minister.
The main goal of father-son politics is only self-interest, he said, clearly targeting Hooda and his MP son Deepender Singh Hooda. Modi also asserted that Congress leaders are involved in a factional fight.
People know that the party can never provide a stable government, he added.
"People of Haryana are also feeling hurt as the entire state is being insulted at the behest of two families sitting in Delhi and Haryana," Modi claimed.
People are witnessing the failure of Congress governments in states like Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. Congress' policies destroy people and that is why they do not want the party in Haryana at all, he said.
Leaders of the Congress, Modi said, have bared their intentions by speaking in favour of ending reservation when Dalits and backward classes are already angry with the party for its inability to prevent caste violence.
People have made up their minds to punish the Congress once more, he added.
Modi said that he had travelled across the state during the campaign and the enthusiasm he saw among the people gave him confidence that they would once again give their blessings to the BJP.
The BJP in its 10 years of government in Haryana worked relentlessly to improve people's lives and prioritised the welfare of every section of society, be it farmers, youth, women, villages or cities, he added.
"We have brought Haryana out of the era of scams and riots seen during the Congress governments," Modi said, adding that the voice that is echoing everywhere in Haryana is "bhadosa dil se, Bhajpa phir se (BJP once more)".
Exhorting people to vote for the BJP, the prime minister said it is very important that they elect a government which strengthens India at a time when the entire world is looking towards the country with hope and expectations.
The Congress can never strengthen the country, he said.
After the Congress managed to draw a level with the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls as both parties won five seats each, it is hopeful of toppling the ruling party from power in the state after 10 years.
The BJP has run an intense campaign in its bid to retain power in the northern state.
Assembly Elections 2024 | In the first assembly polls since the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi and the BJP face a rejuvenated and vindicated Opposition in the Haryana assembly polls. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is voting after almost a decade and it remains to be seen how the abrogation of Article 370 has impacted the political landscape of the Valley. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.