Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated his campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha election by unveiling development projects valued at over Rs 19,100 crore during a rally in Bulandshahr, Western Uttar Pradesh. The rally, held just three days after the Ram temple ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya, saw PM Modi addressing the public.
In his speech, PM Modi responded to reports about sounding the poll bugle, stating, “Modi sounds bugle of development. Modi doesn’t need to sound the poll bugle; the public does this for Modi.”
The Prime Minister took a swipe at opposition parties, criticizing their ‘false promises’ of ‘Gareebi Hatao.’ He said, “After independence, people raised slogans of Garibi Hatao & some kept lying in the name of social justice. But the poor saw that only some people got rich & it benefitted their politics… But the situation in the country is changing (PM) Modi is serving you with all honesty…”
PM Modi also addressed first-time voters on National Voters’ Day via video conferencing, emphasizing India’s global standing. He stated, “When I meet major world leaders, it is not I alone who meets them but 140 crore Indians are with me. Today, the Indian passport is seen with pride across the world.”
Highlighting India’s progress, he emphasized a shift from discussing corruption to credibility and from scams to success stories. He predicted India would become one of the top three economies globally in the coming years.
The BJP has strategically planned events focusing on the Ram temple for two months to mobilize support for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The rally in Bulandshahr is seen as crucial, with the BJP aiming to gather around five lakh people, drawn from the diverse population of Lodh Rajputs, Jats, Gujjars, Muslims, and Dalits.
Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary stated, “It’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first rally in Uttar Pradesh after Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. The BJP has mobilized its resources for the success of the rally.”
The BJP had secured victory in all seven assembly seats in Bulandshahr during the 2022 Assembly polls in UP. However, the opposition, including the SP and Congress, is also actively focusing on Western UP to challenge the BJP, targeting support from Muslims, Jats, and Dalits.
