In a scathing attack on the Congress regarding its governance track record at the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Tuesday that despite holding power for 60 years, the party failed to provide farmers with the basic necessity of water for irrigation, while other nations surged ahead in progress and prosperity.
Speaking at a massive public gathering in Madha within the Solapur Lok Sabha constituency of Maharashtra, PM Modi targeted the Congress, stating, “Despite being entrusted with governing the country for six decades, the Congress could not ensure the advancement of various sectors. They couldn’t even fulfill the fundamental need of water for irrigation to our farmers. When I assumed office in 2014, numerous irrigation projects, including 26 in Maharashtra, were stalled due to bureaucratic hurdles. Just think about how deeply Maharashtra was let down by the Congress.”
Taking a dig at NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar for his tenure as Union Agriculture Minister during the Congress-led UPA government (2004-2014), PM Modi highlighted the increase in Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane during his own administration.
“When a remote-controlled government (referring to the Congress-led UPA government under Manmohan Singh) held power a decade ago, a prominent leader from Maharashtra (Sharad Pawar) served as the Agriculture Minister. During that era, the FRP for sugarcane was around Rs 200 per quintal, and now, under Modi’s leadership, it has risen to Rs 350 per quintal,” he remarked.
In February, the central cabinet approved the ‘Fair and Remunerative Price’ (FRP) for sugarcane for the 2024-25 season, setting it at Rs 340/quintal, with sugar mills mandated to pay this to sugarcane growers based on a recovery rate of 10.25 per cent.
PM Modi accused previous Congress governments in Maharashtra of embezzling funds allocated by the Centre for the state’s farmers. “In previous years, funds allocated by the central government for farmers were misappropriated by the Congress. But now, your son is in Delhi. We will ensure that every rupee from Delhi goes directly to your account,” he pledged.
Highlighting the vital role women play in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India), PM Modi emphasized, “My government has worked tirelessly to empower women. Thousands have joined Self Help Groups in the last decade, contributing significantly to rural development. We have created 1 crore Lakhpati Didis (wealthy sisters), and soon there will be 3 crore. This is my promise!”
Polling for 11 seats in Maharashtra is scheduled for the third phase on May 7, with voting for 13 seats already conducted in the first and second phases out of the total 48 seats in the state.