As Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tries to ‘fortify’ himself in his own State in the wake of the ongoing political changes and developments in Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in a virtual programme sought to ‘thank’ the former for reposing “so much of confidence” in him in seeking help for the development projects in his State with an “open heart”.
“Ye dosti, ye vishwas, ye bharosa, ye loktantra ki badi taakat hain,” Modi said while addressing a gathering through video conferencing. He said “mutual trust” despite different ideologies is the strength of democracy.
Responding to Gehlot’s requests regarding a few projects for the development of the state during a virtual programme, Modi thanked the veteran Congress leader for having faith in him.
“I was listening to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. He has given a long list of projects. I thank the Chief Minister of Rajasthan that he has so much faith in me. His ideology, (political) party are different and my ideology, party are different but this friendship, trust and faith is a big strength of democracy,” he said.
“Ashokji ka mujhpar jo bharosa hai, usi ke karan aaj unhone dil khol kar bahut si batein rakkhin,” Modi said while thanking him for giving a list of development projects in his state unhesitatingly.
Gehlot has been keeping a close watch on the developments in Punjab where Congress has effected leadership change and removed 79-year-old veteran Amarindar Singh.
Recently, Gehlot had also called a meeting of MLAs ‘loyal’ to him with reports that his arch rival in the party and deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot is again trying to upstage him and lobbying with former Congres president Rahul Gandhi.
Singh has decided to quit the Congress after feeling “humiliated” and may float his own outfit, something Gehlot has to watch out for and be apprehensive, given the running turmoil in his party.
Prime Minister was speaking after virtually Inaugurating Institute of Petrochemicals Technology, Jaipur,
He also laid the foundation stone for four new
medical colleges in the Banswara, Sirohi, Hanumangarh and Dausa districts of Rajasthan.
Modi informed that after 2014, 23 medical colleges have been approved by the central government for Rajasthan and 7 medical colleges have already become operational.
Prime Minister said the biggest pandemic of 100 years has taught a lesson to the health sector of the world. Every country is engaged in dealing with this crisis in its way. India has resolved to increase its strength, self-reliance in this disaster.
Gehlot said 30 of the 33 districts in the state will have medical colleges by 2023. Fifteen medical colleges are already there and 15 more will be ready by 2023, the Chief Minister said.
“Today we can say with satisfaction that India is moving beyond 6 AIIMS to a strong network of more than 22 AIIMS”, the PM said adding in the last 6-7 years, more than 170 new medical colleges have been set up and rapid work is going on with more than 100 new medical colleges.
In 2014, the total seats of medical undergraduates and postgraduates in the country were about 82,000. Today their number has increased to 140,000. In the field of regulation and governance also, the Prime Minister said that with the advent of the National Medical Commission, problems and questions of the past have been addressed.