Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a large public gathering in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, expressed confidence that the BJP-led NDA government would be elected for a third consecutive term with an overwhelming majority. The rally was attended by several senior leaders, including State Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami, former Chief Ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Vijay Bahuguna and BJP candidates Anil Baluni, Trivendra Singh Rawat and Thimati Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah.
Modi highlighted the tradition of invoking God in “Devbhoomi” Uttarakhand and expressed his fortune in participating in this tradition by playing the hudka. He emphasised that slogans in support of his government are resonating from the southern tip of the country to the Himalayan lap of Uttarakhand. He attributed this to the stability and strength of his government, which he claimed has made India stronger than ever before.
The Prime Minister pointed out the achievements of his government, including the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, legislation against triple talaq and the provision of reservation for women and the economically disadvantaged in the Lok Sabha and Assembly. He contrasted this with the previous Congress regime, which he accused of failing to provide modern infrastructure and security to the borders and the soldiers.
Modi also highlighted the implementation of the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ scheme under his government, which he claimed would not have been possible under a Congress regime. He stated that his government has provided Rs. 1 lakh crore to ex-servicemen and more than Rs. 3 thousand crores to military families in Uttarakhand.
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister declared the current decade as the decade of Uttarakhand. He praised Rishikesh’s prominence in tourism and spirituality and promised that the BJP government would continue to create new employment opportunities in Uttarakhand by promoting tourism and enhancing road, rail and air facilities in the region.
He also outlined the rapid progress of infrastructure projects in the state, including the Rishikesh Karnaprayag railway line and the reduction in travel distance between Delhi and Dehradun. He emphasised the BJP’s commitment to developing border villages, which were previously neglected under the Congress regime.
Modi highlighted the launch of helicopter services for Manaskhand pilgrimage sites like Adi Kailash and Om Parvat and the construction of ropeways at Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib. He also mentioned the Chardham project, which aims to connect Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri with a nearly 900 km long highway, making it easier for devotees to reach Uttarakhand.
The Prime Minister reported that about 20 lakh devotees visited Kedarnath last year and more than 55 lakh pilgrims undertook the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand. He also shared his personal experience of visiting Adikailash and Om Parvat in Manaskhand last year, which he said offered people a chance to see supernatural places located in the Himalayas.
Modi underscored the expansion of tourism in Uttarakhand, which he said is not only developing the area but also increasing employment opportunities. He pointed out that more than 1000 startups have been registered by the youth in Uttarakhand, with 500 of them led by women. He contrasted this with the Congress regime, where the money of the poor went to middlemen, whereas in the BJP government, people’s money is being directly deposited into their accounts.
In a direct attack on the IND coalition, Modi reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption, stating, “As long as the support and blessings of the countrymen are with the BJP, Modi will continue to fight against corruption against all odds.” He criticised the Congress leaders for prioritising the royal family of Delhi, while for him, the country and its 130 crore people are his family.
Reflecting on his time spent in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, Modi acknowledged the hardships faced by women in collecting firewood, water and fodder. He highlighted the efforts of his government in delivering gas cylinders to every home, ensuring tap water access to 9 out of 10 households in Uttarakhand and providing free ration and Ayushman Bharat Yojana for the next 5 years. He also mentioned the establishment of AIIMS in Uttarakhand and the construction of hospitals and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in rural areas, praising the hard work of the BJP government in Uttarakhand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of being against both development and heritage. He claimed that the Congress questioned the existence of Lord Rama, opposed the construction of the Ram temple and boycotted the prana-pratistha event of Ram Lalla. Modi further accused the Congress of vowing to destroy the power of Hinduism and the faith of Uttarakhand and of misrepresenting the location of Mother Ganga.
Modi connected the identity of Uttarakhand with the Brahma Kamal, a local flower and expressed his vision for the “Panchakamal” to bloom in the state. He emphasised that a developed Uttarakhand is crucial for a developed India and assured the public that the BJP government is working round the clock towards this goal.
The Prime Minister ended his address by appealing to the public to ensure the victory of BJP candidates Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah from Tehri Garhwal, Anil Baluni from Garhwal and Trivendra Singh Rawat from Haridwar in the upcoming elections.
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