As the political climate heats up in Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a fiery speech during a public rally in Gurdaspur, levelling serious allegations against the ruling AAP government and rallying support for the BJP-NDA alliance. PM Modi also took the opportunity to address the electorate, emphasising the significance of the upcoming elections and contrasting the visions of the two competing alliances.

In his address, PM Modi accused the current administration in Punjab of being controlled remotely and lacking autonomy. He asserted, “Unfortunately, Punjab is being governed via remote control. The Durbaris of Delhi are governing Punjab.”

He further criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s alleged dependence on his Delhi counterpart and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for directives, remarking, “The CM of Punjab cannot make a single decision on his own… The CM had to go to Tihar Jail to present his report card to his master and take new orders to run his government.”

He contended that the Punjab governments works were getting stalled when Delhi CM Kejriwal was incarcerated in Delhi jail. “The Kattar Bhrashtachari (corrupt) will go to jail after June 1. Will the Punjab government be run from (Tihar) Jail again? Is this acceptable to you? Is this not an insult to Punjab,” he remarked.

#WATCH | Punjab: Addressing a public rally in Gurdaspur, PM Narendra Modi says, “Unfortunately, Punjab is being governed via remote control. The Durbaris of Delhi are governing Punjab. The CM of Punjab cannot make a single decision on his own… The CM had to go to Tihar Jail to… pic.twitter.com/bJDQMQfRkV

— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2024

Congress Shielded Rioters, Modi Who Reopened Files Of Anti-Sikh Riots: PM In Punjab

Furthermore, PM Modi highlighted historical grievances, particularly targeting the I.N.D.I.A bloc, alleging its involvement in exacerbating communal tensions and failing to address past injustices. “Punjab knows the true faces of the INDI alliance… They gave wind to separatism in Punjab and caused a genocide of Sikhs in Delhi,” he stated in a sharp attack on the Congress.

“The most number of wounds suffered by Punjab have been given by this INDI alliance. Till the time Congress was at Centre, it shielded rioters. It is Modi who reopened the files of anti-Sikh riots,” he remarked.

VIDEO | “Who knows the real faces of INDI alliance more than Punjab? The most number of wounds suffered by Punjab have been given by this INDI alliance. Till the time Congress was at Centre, it shielded rioters. It is Modi who reopened the files of anti-Sikh riots,” says PM Modi… pic.twitter.com/GoFNizNWx4

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 24, 2024

Taking aim at the opposition, PM Modi characterised the Congress-AAP coalition as divisive and opportunistic, accusing them of playing games to deceive the electorate. “The people of Congress and Jhadu, these people of INDI alliance, I don’t know what they think about the people of this country… Every now and then, they are playing games to befool the people,” he remarked.

Asserting his commitment to national progress, PM Modi reiterated his resolve, stating, “The election of 2024 is the election to give leadership to the country… On one side, there is BJP and NDA with a clear vision for Viksit Bharat, resolve for Nation First, track record of 10 years, strict action on corruption.”

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Closing his address, PM Modi invoked patriotism and sought the blessings of the electorate for the forthcoming elections. “Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki, mai desh mitne nahi dunga. Mai desh nahi jhukne dunga, mai desh nahi rukne dunga. (I swear upon this land, I will not let the country perish. I will not let the country bow down, I will not let the country stop.),” he declared.

The Prime Minister’s speech in Gurdaspur sets the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested election in Punjab, with AAP and Congress contesting against each other and the BJP also contesting the Lok Sabha polls without the support of its old ally Shiromani Akali Dal.