Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused the Indian National Congress of creating panic and fear in the country during global crises for political gains, while asserting that India has remained stable thanks to the efforts of unity and the government.
Addressing a rally in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s handling of rising global fuel prices amid conflict in West Asia and said some political parties are waiting for difficult situations to make political gains.
He said: “Unfortunately, some political parties try to benefit politically even during crises. Congress waits for problems to occur in the country so that it can achieve political benefit. Even when fuel prices rise around the world, the government tries to ensure that the burden is not placed on citizens, but Congress spreads rumors so that panic spreads, people stand in queues at gas stations and gas agencies, and chaos spreads so that they can play politics over it.”
The Prime Minister was addressing a public gathering in Vav Tharad, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth approx $20,000 Crores for North Gujarat.
Referring to the protests at the World Artificial Intelligence Summit in Delhi, he said: “Being away from power makes the Congress party desperate. During the World Artificial Intelligence Summit in Delhi, when the whole world was praising India, Congress leaders protested and tried to damage India’s image before the world. Even today Congress speaks the language of foreign powers that do not like India. People should remain alert from such conspiracies.”
Regarding global instability, Modi said that wars and unrest in West Asia affected the entire world and led to a rise in fuel prices, but India was able to keep the situation under control. “India’s greatest strength has always been unity during difficult times. Recently, the world has witnessed wars, turmoil and instability, especially in West Asia, which has affected the entire world. Prices of petrol, diesel and gas have risen all over the world. Even in such a crisis, India has kept the situation under control. Behind this lies the unity and strength of the people of India,” he said.
The Prime Minister also spoke about development in Gujarat, social welfare schemes, renewable energy projects and housing schemes. “The day is not far when Gujarat will emerge as a very big renewable energy hub in the world,” he said.
“Gujarat has shown that infrastructure projects are important for development, but social welfare schemes are no less important. Roads, highways and railways must be developed, but the lives of villages, poor people and common people must also improve,” he added.
Considering his 25-year association with the development of this region, the Prime Minister noted that the development streak he was fortunate to initiate as Prime Minister has continued uninterrupted and has now been further strengthened by the incumbent government since 2014.
Giving details of the road infrastructure projects, the Prime Minister spoke about the four-lane expressway from Idar to Vadali bypass, modernization of the expressway from Dholavira to Santalpur, and consecration of the entire Ahmedabad-Dholera expressway corridor. He stressed that this connectivity brings industries, investments and opportunities in its wake.
The Prime Minister spoke about transmission projects linked to the Khavda Renewable Energy Park, which will generate 4.5 gigawatts of electricity. He recalled the launch of the country’s first solar park at Charanka in Patan district in 2010 when he was chief minister of Gujarat, noting that this early initiative laid the foundation for Gujarat’s current leadership in renewable energy.
He also referred to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and said thousands of families have been given permanent homes. He said: “If 40,000 families get homes today, the blessings and credit go to the citizens of the country. It is the power of one vote that gave the opportunity to serve, and because of that 40,000 people got their own permanent homes. The real credit goes to the people. I am just a tool.”
