Congress run by ‘tukde-tukde gang’ & urban Naxals, hates Ganpati puja: PM Narendra Modi

WARDHA: Blowing the poll bugle for Maharashtra assembly elections from Mahatma Gandhi's karmabhoomi, Wardha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unleashed a blistering attack on Congress, branding it the "most corrupt party in India's history run by a corrupt royal family".

Addressing a mammoth crowd here on the first anniversary of Centre's ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana', Modi painted Congress as a party driven by "Urban Naxals and Tukde-Tukde gang", accusing it of appeasement politics and undermining Hindu traditions.

In an indirect reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi criticised those who make anti-India statements on foreign soil and tarnish India's cultural heritage. His comments were part of a broader attack on the grand old party's policies, which he argued had betrayed farmers, disrespected national traditions, and endangered the country's unity.

Congress' Alleged Attack on Hindu Traditions

Modi launched a particularly fierce attack on Congress for allegedly opposing Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, accusing the party of being anti-Hindu and disconnected from India's cultural fabric. "Congress and its allies hate Ganesh Puja," Modi claimed, recalling an event he attended at Chief Justice of India Dhananjay Chandrachud's home, where he said, Congress members opposed the festival.

He further alleged that under the Congress-led govt in Karnataka, those who celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi were arrested and Ganesh idols were stashed and transported in police vans. The PM reminded the crowd that Lokmanya Tilak introduced Ganesh festival in the pre-independence era to unite people and criticised Congress for undermining this tradition.

"When the whole of Maharashtra was celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, the idol of Ganesh was kept in a police van in Karnataka. Even as the entire country was hurt, Congress' allies (including Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) and NCP led by Sharad Pawar), were mum," Modi said, highlighting what he called appeasement politics by Congress at the expense of Hindu traditions.

Betrayal of Farmers: Telangana and Maharashtra

The PM accused the grand old party of betraying farmers with false promises, particularly citing Telangana, where the party came to power with the vow of loan waivers, but failed to deliver. "Congress makes tall claims but provides no relief to distressed farmers," he said, warning Maharashtra's farmers to be cautious of Congress' betrayal.

Modi extended his criticism to the former Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt led by Uddhav Thackeray. He blamed MVA for the plight of the state's cotton farmers, accusing them of pushing farmers into debt. "For decades, Congress and later the MVA govt, instead of making cotton the strength of farmers, only deepened their misery," he charged. The Prime Minister credited the BJP-led govt of Devendra Fadnavis for initiating development and starting work on the Amravati textile park when it assumed power in 2014.

Congress of Today vs Gandhi's Congress

Modi drew a sharp distinction between Congress of Mahatma Gandhi's era and today's party, claiming the current leadership under the Gandhi family had lost touch with its founding principles. "Congress today is a party of lies, deception, and dishonesty. The spirit of patriotism has died, and it has been replaced with hatred. See the language of their leaders abroad, their anti-national agenda, and their constant efforts to divide society and insult India's traditions," he said.

Modi argued that Congress today has strayed from values of its founding fathers, accusing the party of deliberately using divisive politics and anti-national rhetoric for political gains. "They spread hatred and division, and they show no respect to India's cultural and religious heritage," he added, reaffirming his call to people of Maharashtra to reject Congress in the upcoming elections.
‘Cong's Anti-Backward and Anti-Dalit Policies'

Modi also accused Congress of deliberately holding back development of vulnerable communities, including SC, ST, and OBC populations. He claimed the NDA govt, in contrast, had eliminated this "anti-backward" mindset, ensuring these groups benefited from schemes like Vishwakarma Yojana. "Congress and its allies deliberately didn't let SC, ST, and OBC people move forward. But we eradicated this anti-Dalit and anti-backward thinking from the system," he said, pointing to the success of Vishwakarma Yojana in empowering these communities.

The PM highlighted the importance of Vishwakarma Yojana, describing it as a roadmap for utilising India's ancient skills to drive development. Congratulating beneficiaries of the scheme, he invoked Mahatma Gandhi's campaign against untouchability as a symbolic moment that parallels the current efforts to uplift disadvantaged groups. "This celebration of one year of the Vishwakarma Yojana will give new energy to our resolutions for a developed India."

Call for Unity and Progress

Modi concluded his speech by urging people to unite against Congress, accusing the party of corruption, dishonesty, and betraying the nation's values. He promised that under BJP leadership, Maharashtra's traditions would be respected, farmers' issues would be addressed, and the state's development would remain a top priority. "We will protect Maharashtra's pride, and together we will fulfil our dreams of progress and honour. We cannot allow Congress to undo our values and traditions," he said, rallying support for the upcoming elections.