Terming the Congress as a ‘lollipop company’ alluding to the loan waiver promises, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked people how they could believe one who had always given them false promises for petty electoral gains. The PM was addressing a meeting of the Rajbhar community at Ghazipur on Saturday.
Though it was a function to release the postal stamp on Rajbhars’ ideal Maharaj Suheldev and laying the foundation stone of a medical college in Ghazipur, Modi was in full political colours, virtually kicking off election campaigning for forthcoming 2019 Lok Sabha by launching a scathing attack on Congress.”Be wary of the Congress and its lies,” he said at a public meeting.
On a day’s visit to the Purvanchal region, his second trip to Uttar Pradesh this month, Modi said the Congress promised loan waivers to lakhs of farmers, but the JD(S)-Congress coalition that came into power did not deliver. “Lollypops were handed over. The loan waiver was given to only 800 farmers,” he claimed. He said the “lollypop company” had similarly “forgotten” the promises it made before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress has in the past denied similar charges made by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi’s recent remarks on farm loans follow the waivers announced by the Congress governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh after this month’s assembly polls.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi recently said his party would not let Modi rest till he writes off farm loans across the country.
Modi claimed that under the Congress rule, loans were given to people who were not eligible, while farmers were forced to go to private lenders and fall into debt traps.
The Prime Minister described himself again as a ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) of the people, a term ridiculed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. “This chowkidar of yours is toiling very hard day and night, and with honesty, to brighten your future and that of your children,” he said.
“Because of this chowkidar, some thieves are having sleepless nights. It is your faith and blessings on me that will take the thieves to their rightful place one day,” he said.
He described Maharaja Suheldev as a brave warrior. “Maharaja Suheldev is among those bravehearts who had struggled for the honour of ‘Maa Bharti’,” he said. He praised Yogi government for deciding to make a grand memorial of Maharaja Suhedev at Chitoda area in Bahraich distict soon.
Wooing the Rajbhars, Modi also threw light on his glorious contributions which was totally neglected by the previous Governments. He also gave the details, in view to woo the people, that how the belt of Purvanchal was being developed as a health hub.
“All people hailing from the deprived and the exploited sections of society seek inspiration from him. Remembering him strengthens the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas (inclusive development),” he said.
The PM’s rally here is also being seen as an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party to woo the Rajbhar community, which reveres Maharaja Suheldev.
However, BJP ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party has distanced itself from the event. SBSP chief and Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has claimed he was not invited in time.
Modi said his Government would not let the memory of those who defended the country and worked for society to fade away.