Maharashtra Assembly Elections: PM Modi gives a licking to Congress, charges the party with exploiting Karnataka at the time of Maharashtra polls

Launching an all-out attack on the Congress at a very aggressive election rally in Akola, Maharashtra today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused the party of exploiting Karnataka under the guise of the Maharashtra elections. Accusing the Congress of continuing to double its collection even in Karnataka during the Maharashtra election, PM Modi said they also claimed that they extorted ₹700 crore from liquor vendors in Karnataka.

States ruled by Congress effectively become ATMs of the royal family of Congress, " Modi stated, citing Himachal Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka as some recent examples. "You can think of the level of corruption Congress will indulge in if they win an election funded by corruption," Modi said.

Maharshtra's Blessings are with BJP

He appealed to the residents of the state by assuring that "we will not let Maharashtra become the ATM for Maha Aghadi's corrupt practices." He appreciated the love Maharashtra has been giving to BJP: "Maharashtra has blessed me wholeheartedly, and serving Maharashtra brings a unique joy." He said that in barely five months of his government, he initiated several projects in the state.

Mahayuti Will Accelerate Maharashtra's Growth

Modi said that it is the BJP government that wants to elevate the poor and further said that during two terms, the BJP had built 4 crores of homes, which in the next term were planned for 3 crore more needy people. He was quite confident that a "Mahayuti" government would make the pace of development double in Maharashtra and said that the principle of "nation first" is the central pillar of BJP's mission and India's strength.

Congress Seeks to Divide Castes

PM Modi also alleged that the Congress deliberately split the communities to ensure the completion and consolidation of its strong grip in power. "Congress wants to pitch different castes against each other because they know a weak nation is their path to power," he said. Modi claimed that Congress had been preventing the unification of marginalized communities, including Dalits, STs, and OBCs, ever since independence.

According to Modi, Congress has always fractured castes within the SC and ST communities so that their voices grow weaker. "Congress plays games to ensure that SC groups remain divided, so their voices are scattered, and their votes are divided," he said. Modi said that Congress wants to take away the rights of SC communities and uses division for attainment of power.

As Maharashtra readies to hit the poll, PM Modi's statements add to the on-going debates concerning Congress governance and its relevance in regional politics wherein BJP will look at pepping up support by rallying against alleged corruption and divisive tactics adopted by Congress.