Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the constituents of INDIA bloc have ‘accepted defeat’, slammed the DMK and Congress and invoked the legacy of AIADMK’s late stalwarts M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa at a public meeting here.
Addressing the valedictory of BJP TN President K Annamalai’s state-wide “En Mann En Makkal” yatra here, Modi said over the last 10 years, the BJP government has allocated significantly more funds for development projects in Tamil Nadu than before.
“INDIA constituents have accepted defeat but intend to loot. But the people have made up their mind to prevent any such effort… in TN also BJP is preparing to end the politics of corruption,” Modi said.
During 2004-2014, long time allies, the DMK and Congress shared power in the UPA regime. However, they never bothered to prioritise Tamil Nadu’s development.
The PM alleged, no development took place during the Congress rule, whereas the BJP regime has been making dedicated efforts to ensure the development of Tamil Nadu.
Under the MUDRA Yojana, funding worth Rs 2 lakh crore has been disbursed to Tamil Nadu’s entrepreneurs.
“The opposition parties that are currently dominating Tamil Nadu will never let Tamil Nadu develop. Did the Congress, which indulged in thousands of crores of defense deals, ever allow the formation of defense corridors in Tamil Nadu. Today, when the country is exporting multiple times in the defense sector, providing employment to youth, would the Congress have allowed this to happen? We have initiated the PLI scheme for the textile industry. As a result, investment proposals of around Rs 20,000 crore have come forth. Turnover of nearly Rs two lakh crore are expected.” The opposition INDIA bloc is upset when they look at all the work that he has done, the PM said.
Attacking the opposition alliance, he said those sitting in air-conditioned rooms in Delhi, “those making futile attempts to break India must come here and see that Tamil Nadu is going to create history.”
“Those who make alliances must note that Tamil Nadu is going to lead destiny of Bharat.” His party may have never been in power in Tamil Nadu, but Tamil Nadu has always been in the heart of the BJP.
Those who looted Tamil Nadu for decades are now scared of the growing power of BJP in the state and they intend to ‘save power’ by lying, dividing people and making them fight. “But the people of Tamil Nadu are as intelligent as they are pure at heart. They know the truth, they know the reality,” he said at the well-attended public rally.
Chanting the ‘Sabka Saath’ slogan and the message of development for all, the Prime Minister asserted, “When Modi works, he works for everyone.” While the BJP is focusing on building a developed India in its third term in government (post elections) the INDIA bloc is ’solely fuelled by hatred’ for Modi.
“Have you ever heard any of their parties (INDIA alliance) talk about development, the economy, industry, or education? Their only concern is how to keep their family businesses running. families, they have hindered the development of every youth in Tamil Nadu,” he charged.
He said former chief minister late MGR did not practise dynasty politics and slammed the DMK’s dynasty politics as an insult to Ramachandran– who is still remembered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his work.
“MGR was a true leader. Today, unfortunately, the way the DMK has been working in Tamil Nadu is an insult to MGR Sahib. MGR promoted people based on talent and not on the basis of family,” he added. “If there was anyone after MGR, it was Amma Jayalalithaa ji who gave her entire life for the people’s welfare,” Modi said. Jayalalithaa was addressed as Amma (mother) by her supporters.
Modi said he has an emotional connect with Tamil Nadu and installed the ’sengol’ in Parliament respecting the grand heritage of the country and the state as well.
The BJP’s EKta Yatra 1991 started from Kanyakumari in the state in TN with the objectives of hoisting the Indian flag in Lal Chowk in Sri Nagar and doing away with Article 370. Both those missions have been achived today, he added.
Lauding Annamalai, he said the State BJP chief’s ‘En Mann En Makkal Yatra’, has been a huge success. The Yatra has helped spreading the message of ’Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ to every household.
PM Modi emphasised the ‘Modi guarantee’ for every citizen, which includes free grains, and housing for rural families. He reiterated the BJP’s commitment to ending the politics of corruption and fostering inclusive growth in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier, Modi received a rapturous welcome at the venue.
The venue of the meet teemed with party workers who chanted ’Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ’Vendum Modi Meendum Modi (We want Modi, once again Modi).
At the venue, the PM was gifted a 67 kg Turmeric garland by people from Erode to thank him for establishing Turmeric Board. Erode is known as a turmeric hub.
Thoda tribal community handmade shawl from Nilgiris and a replica of Jallikattu bull were also presented to the PM.
He said he was happy to be in Palladam, part of the Western ’kongu’ region which “represents India’s growth story in many ways”. Annamalai’s state-wide ’En Mann En Makkal’ (My land, my people) yatra was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on July 28, 2023 in Rameswaram.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)