Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday criticised Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for being absent from the government event that took place ahead of the rally here. PM Modi said CM Gehlot “trusts that if Modi arrives, everything will be fine.” The Prime Minister went on to say, “I will tell him, Gehlot, to relax now, we will take care of it.”
Thursday’s visit was an important one as the Prime Minister visited Jodhpur after almost five years and delivered several promises for Mewar. PM Modi targeted the ruling Congress in Rajasthan and reached out to all sections of society, including the poor, women, and youth in the state. “In five years, Congress government did not walk even one step. The ‘kursi ka khel’ continued here round the clock…Have you heard about ‘Lal Diary’?
People say that the diary contains every misdeed of Congress’ corruption. Tell me, should the secrets of the diary not come out in the open? Should the dishonest not be punished? Will the Congress government let the secrets of the diary come in open? For the truth to come out, you will have to form a BJP government,” he said.
Rajendra Gudha was sacked as minister by Gehlot soon after he talked in the state Assembly about “atrocities against women” in the state. Gudha claimed that the “red diary” contained records of “misdeeds” of the Gehlot government and that he had retrieved it from the residence of an associate of the Chief Minister. He later alleged that three pages of the “red diary” contained details of “irregularities” in the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
Prime Minister Modi further said, “I understand poverty well because I have lived in poverty. We are continuously working to eliminate poverty.” He also emphasised bringing the BJP to power in order to strengthen Rajasthan. PM Modi targeted the Congress, saying that the Congress has no connection with farmers, youth, and scientists. They are only interested in power.
He accused the Congress of making false promises regarding “One Rank One Pension” and stated that only the BJP could deliver on such promises.
He also criticised the Congress for betraying farmers in Rajasthan and accused them of looting the state for five years. “India’s influence is growing worldwide, but this doesn’t sit well with Congress,” the PM said.
He mentioned that the Central Government has elevated India to the world’s fifth-largest economy and expressed the intention to go further. He underlined the “Vocal for Local” initiative and highlighted the success of the Khadi sector.
During the rally, the Prime Minister also praised the heritage and tourism potential of Rajasthan, mentioning the recent G-20 summit held in Jodhpur and the world’s appreciation of the city’s historical sites like Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. He urged BJP workers to bring the party to power in Rajasthan to represent the state’s glorious past and secure its future.
In addition to political statements, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various developmental projects worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore before addressing the BJP workers.
These projects included the foundation laying of a new airport terminal, the inauguration of trauma, emergency, and critical care facilities at Jodhpur’s AIIMS, and the inauguration of a phase of Rajasthan Central University’s library, hostel, and mass communication and IT institute.
PM Modi stated that these projects would not only boost the regional economy but also create new employment opportunities and energise the tourism sector of the state.