Prime Minister Narendra Modi harshly criticized the Congress party on Monday, claiming their ‘inherent habit’ of abandoning challenging development projects has significantly harmed the Northeast region, particularly Arunachal Pradesh. This statement came during a rally held at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, where he unveiled development initiatives totaling over Rs 5,100 crore.
Modi stressed the importance of engaging with the Northeast on the ground, stating, “I understand that the Northeast cannot be developed from Delhi. That’s why I frequently send ministers and officers to the region, and I have personally visited over 70 times.” His comments aimed to emphasize his government’s commitment to the area’s growth.
During the rally, Modi stated, “One inherent habit of Congress is that they never take up development work which is difficult to do; they abandon it. This habit has caused significant harm to Arunachal Pradesh and the entire Northeast.” He pointed out that in hilly and forested regions, where implementation of projects proved challenging, Congress simply dismissed these areas, branding them as backward and neglecting their needs.
The Prime Minister also announced the launch of new Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms coinciding with the festive season of Navratri, promising a “double bonanza” for the people. He mentioned, “Next-generation GST reforms have been implemented across the country, leading to the GST ‘Bachat Utsav’ festivities. During this festival season, the people will receive a double bonanza.”
Modi specified how the GST reforms would alleviate financial pressures on households, particularly benefiting women. “The previous Congress government kept increasing taxes, causing everything to become more expensive,” he pointed out. “In contrast, our government has gradually reduced taxes, providing much-needed relief.”
In an extensive critique of Congress, Modi asserted that their tenure led to the neglect of border villages and the subsequent emigration from these areas. He claimed that Congress overlooked Arunachal Pradesh’s needs simply because the state has only two Lok Sabha seats. “When I began serving the nation in 2014, I committed to breaking free from the Congress mindset,” he declared, emphasizing that his government prioritizes the nation over electoral gains. “Our guiding principle is not the number of votes or seats in any state, but ‘nation first’. Our mantra is ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’—the citizen is God,” he added.
In his speech, Modi underscored his dedication to previously neglected areas, stating, “I worship those whom no one has ever asked about. Arunachal Pradesh, previously ignored during the Congress rule, has since 2014 become a center of developmental priority.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the impact of the projects he launched, describing them as examples of the “double benefits” derived from a “double-engine” government. He noted, “Arunachal received Rs 1 lakh crore from the Centre in the last decade, which is 16 times more than what it got during Congress rule.” This assertion aimed to bolster his administration’s accomplishments in the region.
Modi’s remarks resonate amidst rising political tensions as the BJP positions itself as the party of development, especially in regions that felt neglected under previous administrations. As the election season approaches, these statements serve to galvanize support in the Northeast and convey a clear narrative of progress versus stagnation.
