Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a camapign rally for Lok Sabha polls, in Dindori district, Maharashtra, Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Launching a scathing attack at the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A. opposition bloc which has made an electoral issue out of 'BJP’s internal rule of retirement at 75', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that this Lok Sabha polls is not just about electing MPs but a 'strong PM'.
Modi asserted that he has a 100-day blueprint ready which would commence after 4 June, the day of counting of votes of the Lok Sabha polls.
“We draw inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj…This election is not just about choosing MPs, but about choosing a PM….a PM who can take tough and big decisions to make India strong,” Modi said addressing back-to-back election rallies at the Nashik-Dindori onion belt of Maharashtra and Thane-Kalyan suburbs of Mumbai.
“In the upcoming election, you must choose a Prime Minister who can decisively take big decisions,” he appealed.
“I want to create a foundation which will accelerate our dream for 2047. My mantra is to make your aspirations my resolve. And I dedicate every second of my life to realise those resolves….24x7 for 2047,” Modi said.
When Modi asked who can make it possible, there was thunderous applause and chants of “Modi-Modi-Modi” and “fir ek baar…Modi-sarkaar”.
Modi’s statement assumes significance in the wake of the fact that AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had claimed that Modi would pass on the mantle to Amit Shah next year after he turns 75, if all NDA comes to power, while Congress leader Dr Shashi Tharoor had said that people would not have to wait till 17 September 2025 as a new government and prime minister would be in place on 4 June.
100-day blueprint ready
On the 100-day blueprint, Modi said that he has been working on it for the last four months. “I have hopes from the youth…I would request them to send their suggestions. We would incorporate it and make it 125 days,” he said.
Modi attacks Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray for 'sinful partnership'
During his address, Modi lashed out at NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray, both former Maharashtra Chief Ministers.
“INDIA alliance knows that its 'primary' party (Congress) will be defeated in such a way that becoming even the Opposition will be a big feat for them. The leaders of the alliance are suggesting that after elections, the small parties should merge with Congress so that they can at least stand as the Opposition party…the fake-Shiv Sena and fake-NCP will definitely be subsumed by Congress. When that happens, I will recall Balasaheb Thackeray, who believed that the day Shiv Sena starts to follow the path of Congress, it would be the end of his Shiv Sena,” he said.
"The fake Shiv Sena has shattered every dream of Balasaheb Thackeray. His vision included building a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and abolishing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. While these dreams have been fulfilled, the fake Shiv Sena is showing the most disgust. Just like Congress, they rejected the invitation for the temple's consecration. While Congress members are puking hate about the Mandir, the fake Shiv Sena remains silent. Their sinful partnership has been exposed to the entire state of Maharashtra,” he added.
Congress wants 15 per cent budget for Muslims
Hitting out at the grand old party, Modi said: “…But what has Congress's intention been? Today, I'm going to reveal this to all 140 crore countrymen for the first time. It's a serious topic that needs to be addressed…The Congress party thinks that 15 percent of the total budget prepared by the governments of the country should be spent only on minorities, that is, the budget should also be divided on the basis of religion. They divided the country on the basis of religion and even today they are engaged in making different types of divisions on the basis of religion.”
“Modi is providing the poor with free rations, access to tap water, pucca houses and gas connections amongst others without any discrimination,” he said.
Modi said Babasaheb Ambedkar was against granting reservations based on religion. "But now, Congress wants to take the reservations of SC, ST and OBC communities and give them to their vote bank. Let this be very clear to I.N.D.I.A, I will not let you bifurcate the budget or provide reservations based on religion,” he said.
"For Congress, there's only one minority: its favored vote bank. I recall vividly, during my tenure as (Gujarat) Chief Minister), when Congress proposed spending 15 percent of the budget exclusively on Muslims. I vehemently opposed it, and thanks to BJP's strong opposition, Congress failed in its attempt. Now, they're determined to revive these old agendas," he claimed.
"Congress asks us to respect Pakistan because it's a nuclear state… When Congress rules, Pakistan threatens us. And, when Congress doesn't rule, then Congress threatens us that Pakistan will threaten us. Why is Congress being a proxy for Pakistan? Congress used to beg in front of Pakistan to spare India from terrorist attacks. Since you gave me a chance, India started to retaliate by conducting surgical strikes and airstrikes. Now, Pakistan does not threaten us with nuclear attacks anymore," he added.