Emphasizing that the welfare of the poor and the middle class strata of the society is at the heart of his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a dig at the united opposition front by accusing them of having double standards.
Modi was inaugurating Rajkot International Airport that has been built at a cost of Rs 1,405 crore. He inaugurated developmental works running into Rs 2,033 crore.
Addressing a massive gathering at the Race Course Ground in Rajkot, Modi said since 2014 his government has been looking into how the poor strata and the middle class can save more money.
Without naming any leader from the opposition, he held that they are not bothered about people’s aspirations and they are a bit angry as these are met with. “They are the same old faces, corrupt and dynastic,” Modi continued to allege. They have given a new name to the coalition but their intentions are the same, he added.
Modi said if the middle class gets produce at a good rate then they say that injustice is being done to the farmers and if the farmers get good rates then they say that things are costly.
The prime minister said that despite Covid-19 and Russia-Ukrine war, the government has succeeded in controlling inflation, unlike in the neighbouring countries. Had it not been the case, the prices would have skyrocketed and the milk would have been available at Rs 300 per litre and lentils at Rs 500 per kilogram.
Citing a new report, Modi said that 13.5 crore people have emerged as neo-middle class. He also spoke about the PM Awas Yojna and how rates of interest are being increased on the savings in the EPFO.
According to him, the good governance model being implemented at the national level that takes into consideration the aspirations of the people is a path towards becoming a developed nation.
He also made a mention about how in the last nine years, the issue of connectivity has been addressed at the national level. The PM also spoke about the numbers of airports in 2014 and now. “A thousand planes have been ordered and in future there is a possibility of 2000 more,” he said.
Modi, who began his electoral career by winning an assembly seat from Rajkot, said the new international airport would help the growth of Rajkot and nearby cities and villages. The farmers will also be able to send their produce directly to the international market.
Modi is on a two-day visit to his home state. At night in Gandhinagar, he is expected to have a meeting with BJP leaders.
A dinner has been planned in his honour.
On Friday, Modi will inaugurate an event on semiconductors in Gandhinagar.
