Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly criticized the Congress party on Monday, accusing it of having an ‘inherent habit’ of abandoning difficult development projects, which he claims has significantly harmed the Northeast region of India. Speaking at a rally in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, Modi unveiled development projects worth over Rs 5,100 crore, emphasizing the government’s commitment to advancing the region.
Modi addressed a crowd at the Indira Gandhi Park, highlighting his awareness that true development in the Northeast cannot stem solely from Delhi’s directives. Instead, he noted he has made over 70 visits to the region and frequently sends ministers and officials to engage with local initiatives.
“One inherent habit of Congress is that they never take up development work which is difficult to do; they abandon it,” Modi stated. He alleged that this neglect has negatively impacted Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of the Northeast. “In hilly and forested areas, where development work proved challenging, Congress would declare these regions as backward and simply forget them,” he added.
In a backdrop of upcoming festivities, Modi introduced significant tax reforms, stating that the launch of the GST ‘Bachat Utsav’ during Navratri will provide citizens with a “double bonanza” this festive season. He assured that the recent GST reforms are designed to alleviate the financial burdens on families, especially benefiting women by reducing their kitchen budgets.
“While the previous Congress government continuously increased taxes amidst rising costs, our government has gradually eased the tax burden on citizens,” claimed Modi. He noted that under this government, people have started to feel the relief of reduced taxes.
Modi discussed the ongoing neglect faced by border villages under past Congress administrations, contributing to a migration crisis. He critiqued the party for overlooking Arunachal Pradesh due to its limited two Lok Sabha seats. “I resolved to free the nation from the Congress mindset when I came to power in 2014. Our guiding principle is not based on the number of votes or seats per state; rather, it’s ‘nation first’,” he stated.
The Prime Minister stated, “Our only mantra is ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (the citizen is God).” He underscored his administration’s focus on lifting communities that previously had been neglected, highlighting that since 2014, Arunachal Pradesh has become a developmental priority.
Modi affirmed that the projects unveiled represent the “double benefits” of a ‘double-engine’ government, referring to the collaboration between the state and central governments. He cited that Arunachal Pradesh received ₹1 lakh crore from the Centre over the last ten years, a figure 16 times higher than what the state received during the Congress’s rule.
As Modi concluded his speech, he reiterated a commitment to continue prioritizing the welfare of the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast, fostering a spirit of comprehensive national development that resonates across the country.
