Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Opposition INDIA bloc, accusing its key constituents, particularly the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, of putting family interests above nation’s welfare. Speaking in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, Modi sharply contrasted what he called the opposition’s dynastic politics and the BJP’s commitment to inclusive development guided by its mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.
“Those driven solely by the lure of power remain focused only on the growth of their own families, not the welfare of the nation,” the Prime Minister said while addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stones of 44 developmental projects worth Rs 3,880 crore. Without taking names, Modi accused rival leaders of prioritising their own family legacies, saying their political philosophy was rooted in parivaar ka saath, parivaar ka vikas (support for the family, development of the family). In contrast, he reaffirmed his government’s guiding principle of working for the collective progress of all citizens.
Modi highlighted the transformation of Varanasi over the last decade, saying the city, once known only for its spiritual antiquity, had become a symbol of modern urban development. “Today, I had the privilege of visiting Sankatmochan Maharaj’s Kashi, just ahead of Hanuman Jayanti. The people of Varanasi are not just celebrating a festival, but also the festival of development,” he said. Pointing to key infrastructure improvements, the Prime Minister noted that newly constructed flyovers and ring roads had significantly reduced traffic congestion. “A decade ago,
traffic jams were a daily struggle. Today, movement across the city is much smoother. Journeys to places like Ghazipur or Jaunpur, which once took hours, are now quick and seamless,” he remarked.
Modi also highlighted the success of welfare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, particularly for the elderly population. He assured citizens that they no longer needed to worry about medical expenses. “Don’t worry about money for treatment - the government will pay for it,” he said, emphasising that families no longer had to sell land or take loans to cover hospital bills.
During the event, Ayushman Vay Vandana health cards were distributed to senior citizens including Dinesh Kumar Rawat, Rajendra Prasad, and Durgavati. These cards help extend free treatment to those above the age of 70. Modi said that the smiles on the faces of the elderly beneficiaries were a true measure of the scheme’s success and added that nearly 50,000 such cards had already been distributed in the Varanasi region.
In his address, Modi also spoke of India’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympic Games, urging the youth of Kashi to start preparing to win medals for the country. He said new stadiums and sports complexes were being developed in the region to support this goal.
Turning to the growing global recognition of Indian products, the Prime Minister lauded Uttar Pradesh for leading the country in Geographical Indication (GI) tagging. He noted that many traditional items from the State were now gaining international prominence. Citing examples such as Jaunpur’s imarti, Mathura’s Sanjhi art, Pilibhit’s flutes, and Tharu Zardozi from Lakhimpur Kheri, Modi said, “The fragrance of the soil of UP will now go beyond the borders.”
The Rs 3,880 crore worth of developmental projects launched by the Prime Minister included a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening basic infrastructure and public services. These include rural drinking water schemes, new anganwadi centres for childcare, hundreds of libraries to promote education, and new institutions of higher learning such as a polytechnic college in Pindra and a government degree college. In addition, Modi inaugurated a transit hostel and police barracks in Ramnagar and announced the construction of new rural roads to improve connectivity in remote areas.
Varanasi Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma provided details of the projects, emphasising their potential to bring about significant improvements in health, education, transportation, and public safety. The event was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who joined the Prime Minister in showcasing the region’s ongoing transformation under the BJP government.
