Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 13 infrastructure projects worth over Rs 2,100 crore in Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur on Saturday. Modi, who is on a one-day visit to the state, will also seek feedback from around 2.5 lakh beneficiaries of several central government schemes. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was also present at the event.
The prime minister’s visit comes ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly election set to take place later this year. He also addressed a public meeting after the projects were launched. Over 2 lakh people attended the event.
“Those who have to do politics of family and dynasty, do it but our determination is to take the defense and self-esteem of the country to the summit and our policies are clear,” Modi said in a reference to the Congress.
He said the BJP’s political opponents have “done the job of questioning the country’s army and their abilities”. “People of the country and people of Rajasthan will never forgive those who do such politics,” he added.
The prime minister stressed upon the central government’s agenda for the state – development. “There are some who do not like anything we do, they flinch at our name, but BJP believes only in vikas [development], vikas and vikas,” he said.
The rally, however, has attracted criticism over the past few days. A letter issued by the state’s general administration department on Thursday showed that the Bharatiya Janata Party government is spending Rs 7.23 crore on transportation for the rally. A “huge amount of money” will also be spent on other facilities such as food and accommodation, reports said.
The state government was expected to arrange 5,579 buses from various parts of Rajasthan to ferry attendees. The government has also allotted Rs 24.10 lakh to the Barmer district administration, and district collectors were asked to send 5,000 beneficiaries for the prime minister’s event.
Meanwhile, the Bharatpur district administration has selected five beneficiaries who will speak to Modi, and are being trained on how to answer his questions positively.
The Rajasthan Congress, however, criticised the event, claiming that the “beneficiaries” are actually BJP workers and supporters. “The intention of the BJP behind gathering a crowd of BJP workers in the name of beneficiaries in an election year is to win the polls by hook or by crook,” former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Thursday.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!