Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Itanagar on Monday, where he condemned the Congress party for its inherent habit of abandoning challenging development projects in the Northeast. This statement came as he unveiled development initiatives valued at over Rs 5,100 crore.
During his speech at Indira Gandhi Park, Modi emphasized that true development of the Northeast requires active involvement from the government, not decisions made far away in Delhi. He noted his personal commitment to the region through numerous visits, having visited more than 70 times since assuming office.
“The Congress party has a notable tendency to ignore developmental challenges; they simply walk away from issues that require genuine effort. This has inflicted long-term harm on Arunachal Pradesh and the broader Northeast region,” Modi asserted.
The Prime Minister introduced the recently launched GST reforms, coinciding with the Navratri festival, promising what he termed a “double bonanza” to the citizens.
“With the next-generation GST reforms now in place, India celebrates ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ this festive season, effectively reducing household expenses, particularly for women managing their kitchen budgets,” he stated.
Modi criticized the previous Congress-led government for continuously escalating taxes amidst rising living costs. “Congress imposed a heavy tax burden that stifled economic growth. Our government has responded by gradually reducing taxes and extending relief to the populace,” he highlighted.
Moreover, Modi accused former Congress administrations of neglecting border villages, which resulted in the migration of residents seeking better opportunities.
He claimed that Arunachal Pradesh received less attention because it holds only two Lok Sabha seats. “When I took office in 2014, my mission was to liberate the nation from the Congress mindset. Our focus is not on political gain through votes but on prioritizing national interests. We uphold the principle of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (the citizen is God),” Modi said.
Additionally, he maintained that the underprivileged regions that had been historically disregarded are now at the forefront of developmental initiatives. “Since 2014, Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as a key area for development, receiving financial backing of Rs 1 lakh crore from the Centre in the last decade—16 times greater than during the Congress rule,” he boasted.
In conclusion, Modi described the newly unveiled projects as a testament to the dual advantages offered by the “double-engine” government at the Centre and in Arunachal Pradesh. This rally, combining both political and developmental themes, exemplified Modi’s ongoing push for comprehensive reforms aimed at bolstering connectivity and progress in the Northeast.
