Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing an election rally in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, hailed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s efforts in curbing both “riots and rioters” in the state. He commended Adityanath’s administration for handling law and order issues, contrasting it with previous regimes.
Modi criticized the Samajwadi Party (SP) for allegedly sheltering mafia elements during their rule and accused them of compromising on governance for the sake of votes.
In his speech, Modi vowed to protect the rights of the marginalized communities, particularly mentioning the recent controversy over OBC quota certificates in West Bengal and alleged attempts by opposition parties to dilute quota rights.
“Till the time I am alive, I won’t let quota benefits and your rights be snatched away,” he said to applause in his rally.
The Prime Minister accused the Congress and other opposition parties of disrespecting leaders from marginalized communities, citing instances where prominent figures like Baba Saheb Ambedkar and former President Ramnath Kovind were allegedly insulted.
“During their rule, the mafia operated with impunity, brazenly challenging the law from open jeeps and killing rivals, while two to three riots took place each month,” he said.
“These people insulted Baba Saheb Ambedkar, former President Ramnath Kovind and even the lone tribal woman president Droupadi Murmu. They also never showed respect for Maharaj Suheldev. Now, these parties are plotting to take away reservations from Dalits and giving them to Muslims,” he said.
Modi said his government is committed to upliftment, mentioning schemes like free ration distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic and infrastructure projects that were stalled for decades but initiated under his leadership.
“After independence, the Congress vowed not to develop this area, forcing the people to live in dire poverty. The issues here were first highlighted by our Gahmari Babu, who, with tears in his eyes, informed the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru about the dire conditions prevailing there but the Congress exploited this situation for political gain, staged a political drama and formed the Patel Commission to placate the public. But the report of that commission continued to gather dust,” he said.
“Modi is spending lakhs of crores of rupees on the free ration scheme so that the poor do not face the kind of problems which they did during the rule of the Congress and SP,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also took aim at the opposition’s stance on key national issues, including the Ram temple and the situation in Kashmir, accusing them of divisive politics and appeasement.
“SP leaders dismiss the Ram temple as useless, while Congress leaders plan to put a lock on it. The Congress wants to reignite conflict in Kashmir, endanger soldiers and strengthen Pakistan,” he said.
Modi referenced Manoj Sinha, the current Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir hailing from Ghazipur, suggesting that the region should take pride in his leadership role.
“Ghazipur should be proud that one of its own is now overseeing Jammu and Kashmir,” Modi said.
