Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the opposition ahead of Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, criticising the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition for what he described as “mis-governance” and “looting” the people of the state.
Addressing a rally in Dhule, PM Modi called the MVA a “vehicle without wheels or brakes,” pointing out the infighting within the MVA over who would control the driver’s seat.
The Prime Minister also targeted the Congress party, accusing it of trying to create divisions among the country’s tribal communities. He emphasised that Congress’ attempts to sow discord between the SC, ST, and OBC communities were as dangerous as the party’s past attempts to divide religious groups, which led to the partition of India. The PM underscored the importance of unity, urging that the nation would remain strong as long as people stayed united.
Highlighting the two and a half years of mis-governance under the MVA, PM Modi praised the development work carried out by the Mahayuti alliance, which he claimed would continue if they were re-elected. He assured the people of Maharashtra that the state’s growth would reach new heights under a Mahayuti government.
The PM also underlined the importance of women’s empowerment in achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). He said that societal progress is closely tied to the advancement of women and pledged to remove all barriers to their empowerment. Referring to the opposition’s criticism of the Majhi Ladki Bahan Yojana, a scheme aimed at benefiting women, he accused the MVA of trying to sabotage the initiative, claiming they did not want to see women empowered.
PM Modi is also scheduled to attend a public meeting in Nashik today.
Maharashtra’s assembly elections are scheduled for 20 November, with vote counting on 23 November. The MVA coalition, which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is challenging the Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.