In a sharp and somewhat tongue-in-cheek remark, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s absence during a government event in Jodhpur where projects worth approximately ₹5,000 crore were unveiled. Modi quipped that Gehlot’s absence might be rooted in his confidence that everything would go smoothly when Modi is around.
Addressing a rally after inaugurating several development projects in Jodhpur, PM Modi also criticized the Congress-led government in Rajasthan, particularly focusing on the state’s law and order situation. He expressed concern over incidents of atrocities against Dalits and women in the state.
Reflecting on the absence of the Chief Minister at the government program, PM Modi humorously remarked, “It was a government program, but the Chief Minister was absent. Why was he not there? Because he has confidence that if Modi comes, everything will be fine.”
Modi added with a touch of sarcasm, “Unko Modi pe itna bharosa hai. Aur isliye unko laga ki arre bhai Modi aa rahe hain to bas ho jayega. Aur mai bhi unko kehta hun, aap vishram kijiye, ab hum samhal lenge (He has so much confidence in Modi. He felt that Modi is coming, works will be done. And I am also telling him that you take rest, we will take care of everything).”
During his speech, PM Modi also highlighted the central government’s recent decision to provide an additional subsidy of ₹100 on LPG cylinders for beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojana, in addition to the earlier ₹200 subsidy. He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing affordable and pollution-free cooking options to the citizens.
PM Modi said, “This is our effort to make cooking pollution-free. Your health is our priority. For the BJP government, your health is our priority. On one side, we are providing free treatment facilities to poor families under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and on the other side, we are building modern hospitals in record numbers.”
He concluded by asserting the BJP’s resolution to elevate Rajasthan to the number one state in tourism. Modi stressed that achieving this goal would depend on the power of the people’s votes in the upcoming elections.
The state of Rajasthan, currently governed by the Congress, is among five states scheduled for elections later this year.
Sources By Agencies