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Raipur, Nov 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a veiled but sharp attack on the Congress, accusing those who ‘pretend to uphold the Constitution and shed crocodile tears in the name of social justice’, perpetrated decades of injustice for political gains and deprived Chhattisgarh of roads, schools and hospitals under the shadow of Left Wing Extremism (LWE).
Addressing the Chhattisgarh Silver Festival in Nava Raipur on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the formation of the state, the Prime Minister said the people have suffered 50-55 years of pain due to Maoist terrorism.
“Those who ruled the country for decades left people to fend for themselves while enjoying the luxuries of life,” he alleged, making an explicit reference to the Congress-led UPA governments without directly naming them.
PM Modi said he could not tolerate the “crying of countless mothers for their children” and pledged to eliminate Maoist terror from the country in 2014.
“Eleven years ago, more than 125 districts were affected; today, traces of activity are left in only three districts,” PM Modi declared, adding, “The day is not far when Chhattisgarh and India will be completely free from Maoist terrorism.”
Highlighting the increase in surrenders, he said that on October 17, more than 200 Maoists laid down arms in Bastar, more than 20 Maoists in Kanker recently, and dozens of Maoists across the country laid down arms, including many carrying rewards worth lakhs and crores, who have now adopted the Constitution.
The Prime Minister said the end of terror has transformed the once prohibited areas. Chilakapalli village of Bijapur gets electricity after seven decades; Rekawaya now has its first school in Abujhmad after independence; And Puvarti, a former rebel stronghold, now flies the tricolor instead of the red flag.
He said Bastar, which was once synonymous with militancy, now hosts vibrant events like Bastar Pandum and Bastar Olympics, symbolizing the return of peace and normalcy.
Emphasizing the state’s important role in building a developed India, PM Modi said, “Imagine how much Chhattisgarh has grown despite Naxalism – and how fast it will grow once it is completely controlled.”
With his leftist message, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 14,260 crore related to roads, industry, health care and energy.
Major initiatives include a Rs 3,150-crore four-lane highway for Jharkhand, setting up of new medical colleges, power substations and the Nagpur-Jharsuguda gas pipeline.
Addressing the youth, PM Modi said, “This is your time, no goal is unattainable.”
Assuring full government support for Chhattisgarh’s progress, he concluded: “Together, we will take Chhattisgarh and the country forward.”
Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and Union Ministers Jual Oram, Durga Das Uike and Tokan Sahu were present at the event.
–IANS
SKTR/PGH