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In a fiery election rally in Chimur, Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of obstructing the progress of marginalized communities and prioritizing its own power over the welfare of the people. Addressing the rally ahead of the state assembly elections on November 20, Modi characterized Congress as a 'shahi parivar' (royal family) that has historically been resistant to empowering Dalits, backward classes, and Adivasis. He argued that the Congress's inherent belief in its right to rule has prevented these communities from advancing since India's independence.
Modi went on to criticize Congress's stance on reservations, recalling an advertisement from the 1980s during Rajiv Gandhi's leadership that questioned the special rights granted to marginalized groups. He asserted that Congress has a deep-seated aversion to the concept of reservations. Furthermore, Modi accused the Congress of deliberately dividing tribal communities by caste, weakening their collective identity and strength. He urged voters to remain united, warning that Congress could potentially erode reservation policies if tribal communities become fragmented.
Turning his attention to the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, Modi accused it of rampant corruption and hindering the state's development. He claimed that the MVA has no interest in fostering progress, focusing instead on obstructing developmental initiatives. Modi further reiterated his government's stance on the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that this move fully integrated the region with the Indian Constitution. He accused Congress and its allies of benefiting politically from violence and separatism in the region. Modi concluded his speech by expressing confidence in the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's victory in the Maharashtra elections, pointing to the large crowd at his rally as evidence of strong public support. He also promised that the BJP's election manifesto would prioritize the state's development.