"This Time Ramlalla Played Holi Too": PM Modi Begins NDA's Election Campaign, Targets INDI Alliance For Corruption

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (31 March) began the BJP-led NDA's campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh's Meerut.

He said that these elections are for Viksit Bharat, to make India developed as "this is the time, this is the right time." He shared that his government has already started making roadmap for the upcoming five years.

Calling the past 10 years, a "trailer of Vikas" (development), he said, "10 years report card is before you... we are also working on what decisions are to be made in first 100 days" of Modi 3.0.

Recalling that having a temple at Ram Janmabhoomi was perceived to be impossible at one point of time, he said, "As usual Kanha and Radha played Holi in Braj, this time Ramlalla too played Holi in Awadh."

Highlighting 'One Rank One Pension' implementation for armed forces, Modi said that more than Rs 1 lakh crore were given to army veteran.

He listed the work done by his government like strict law against Triple Talaq, women reservation in legislatures, abrogation of Article 370 and Rs 5 lakh free treatment Ayushman Yojana.

The PM said, "Jisko kisine na poochha, usko Modi ne pooja" (those who were not taken care of by anyone, were worshipped by Modi) and highlighted free ration scheme for 80 crore needy.

Modi said that his government not only empowered the poor, but ensured their self-respect through bank accounts, building pucca houses and toilets.

Asserting that coming five years are for the prosperity of Nari Shakti, Modi said that 10 crore fake beneficiarieswere removed and Rs 2.75 lakh crore was stopped from going into wrong hands.

Targeting the INDI Alliance, he said, "Some people are baffled over my action against corruption. We say remove corruption, they say save corrupt."

Earlier today, INDI Alliance had a 'Loktantra Bachao' (save democracy) rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by ED in liquor policy case.

"They have formed INDI Alliance. They think Modi will be afraid. My family is my Bharat. My guarantee is to return looted money. Rs 17,000 crore have been returned," Modi added.

He accused Congress and INDI Alliance of damaging integrity of the country by giving a strategically important Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka.

"An anti-national deed of Congress came to the fore. An island situated between Sri Lanka and India, near Tamil Nadu was perceived as unnecessary by the Congress and ceded from the country," Modi said.

He elaborated, "Our fishermen are paying the price for it. They are arrested and their boats are seized when they reach this island. Can such alliance work in interest of country?"

Calling Rashtriya Lok Dal's (RLD) Jayant Choudhary his "younger brother," Modi highlighted how he was tried to be insulted when he demanded Bharat Ratna for Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Modi expressed his desire to not limit sugarcane farming to producing sugar and jaggery, instead, expand to make ethanol to be used in fuel, which will increase farmers' income.

He highlighted that world's biggest storage facility is being contructed with more than 2 lakh godowns. He also asserted that millet farming is benefitting small farmers.

Modi urged people to take benefit of PM Surya Ghar Yojana scheme that ensures free electricity. Within weeks of its launch, 1 crore people have enrolled for the scheme, he claimed.

Remembering Mangal Pandey, the PM called Meerut a land of valour. He highlighted the infrastructure development od the city throught Namo Bharat Train corridor between Delhi andMeerut.

He said that Meerut is connected to three expressways and to the freight corridor. "Meerut Metro construction is underway at a fast pace, Major Dhyanchand sports university is being built here," he added.

Modi concluded his speech by naming a few NDA candidates from the region like Arun Govil, Rajkumar Sangwan, Sanjeev Balyan and Pradeep Chaudhary and urged people to bless them with victory.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath, state BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary, Jayant Chaudhary and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini were present at the stage.