In a fervent address to supporters in Sonipat on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is witnessing an upsurge in support in Haryana, while the Congress party is losing its foothold as the assembly elections approach.
“As the day of voting nears, the Congress is losing hope. The support for BJP is increasing day by day in Haryana,” Modi declared to a large and enthusiastic gathering, emphasizing the growing momentum for his party ahead of the upcoming elections.
During his speech, Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of “handing over Haryana to ‘dalals’ (middlemen) and ‘damads’ (sons-in-law),” a veiled reference to the Gandhi family. Although Modi refrained from naming individuals directly, his insinuations were clear, eliciting applause and cheers from the audience.
“Wherever the Congress has put its foot, corruption and ‘bhai-bhatijawaad’ (nepotism) are inevitable,” Modi asserted. “Congress has given birth to corruption in the government system. The Congress party is the mother of corruption in our country.” This assertion underscores the BJP’s strategy to frame the Congress as synonymous with corruption, aiming to rally voter support by painting the BJP as a cleaner alternative.
In a poignant moment during the rally, Modi acknowledged a young boy in the crowd who had drawn a picture of him. The prime minister encouraged the boy to pass the artwork to his security team, promising to send him a personal letter, a gesture that further endeared him to the audience.
The prime minister also highlighted the significance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy, stating that the empowerment of Dalits is intrinsically linked to industrial growth. “Today, Haryana ranks among the country’s top states in the field of agriculture and industry under the BJP government. When industrialization happens, the poor, farmers, and Dalits receive most of the benefits,” Modi stated, reinforcing his government’s achievements in promoting economic development.
Voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana is scheduled for October 5, with the results to be counted on October 8, coinciding with the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. As the election date approaches, the rhetoric from both major parties is expected to intensify, shaping the political landscape in the state. Modi’s address in Sonipat marks a crucial moment for the BJP as it seeks to solidify its base and gain ground in Haryana’s competitive political arena.